Geneva: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has revealed that UN staff in Gaza are suffering from hunger, with many reportedly fainting due to malnutrition, amid growing fears over the survival of people in the devastated enclave. The agency warned that searching for food in Gaza has become as deadly as the bombings themselves.
According to Emirates News Agency, Juliette Touma, Director of Communications at UNRWA, stated during a virtual press briefing in Geneva that the United Nations and its humanitarian partners have the experience, expertise, and resources to provide safe, dignified, and large-scale assistance in Gaza. Touma affirmed that the agency has 6,000 trucks loaded with food, medicine, and hygiene supplies waiting for Israeli authorisation to enter the Strip. She reiterated the UN’s call for a comprehensive agreement that would secure a ceasefire, facilitate the release of hostages, and allow for the regular flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza under UN coordination, including UNRWA.
In a related development, Tarik Ja€š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬¦¡arevic, spokesperson for the World Health Organization, condemned three attacks that took place on Monday targeting a building sheltering WHO staff in Deir Al Balah in central Gaza. He also reported mistreatment of displaced people at the location, along with the destruction of WHO’s main warehouse.