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Gaza Situation - Report 44

24 hour reports by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA)

Due to the dramatic escalation in violence over the past few days and the massive assault on Gaza, UNRWA has declared an emergency in all five areas of the Gaza Strip. It is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to mount an emergency response should that become necessary. The priority for the Agency has now shifted to emergency operations, providing assistance to those who have been displaced and sought shelter in UNRWA schools, while attempting to continue regular operations. Urgent funding needs persist and are increasing

Key parts:

The number of IDPs seeking refuge in UNRWA schools is unprecedented: 279,389 IDPs in 83 UNRWA schools. UNRWA is providing assistance to almost 314,000 IDPs staying in UNRWA schools and in 7 government shelters in the North.”

The Palestinian civilian death toll continues to rise and is reaching unacceptable proportions. Since the night of 7 July to 21 August 2014, at least 2,030 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli air, naval and ground strikes. According to preliminary information recorded by the Protection Cluster, 1,444 – 71 per cent of all fatalities – are believed to be civilians, including 475 children and 246 women. Over the course of the military escalation it has also been reported that 66 Israelis were killed, including 64 soldiers, two civilians plus one foreign national.

The number of IDPs seeking shelter in UNRWA installations as a result of the conduct of hostilities is unprecedented in UNRWA’s history. As the military escalation continues, Palestinians are fleeing to UNRWA schools in desperate search of a safe place for them and their families. As of last night, 261,341 Palestinians took refuge in 82 UNRWA schools. The number is expected to further increase. The anxiety, the stress caused by the constant shelling, the loss of loved ones and homes, as well as the overall lack of perspective for a life in Gaza contribute to increasing tensions in the overcrowded shelters.

An unexploded 900kg bomb, which was successfully defused this morning, put the continued transfer of goods through the only functioning border crossing with Israel, Kerem Shalom, at risk. UNRWA staff, for example in the health centers which serve the entire Gaza population regardless of refugee status, cannot get to work or risk their lives in moving to their workplace. Amidst the shelling, 4 of UNRWA’s 12 distribution centers had to be closed yesterday. This impacts the ongoing UNRWA/WFP exceptional food distribution to support all Palestinians not currently receiving regular food aid from the two agencies. Only 39 per cent of the initially planned rations were distributed yesterday to families in desperate need of support.

As of yesterday, airstrikes are increasingly directed towards targets in the remaining 57 per cent of the Gaza Strip, thus increasing the risk to the displaced sheltered in UNRWA schools. If airstrikes to the west of the former buffer zone continue, the Agency will have to consider opening emergency shelters in UXO [Unexploded Ordnance] cleared installations in the former buffer zone and potentially relocate the displaced.”

Whilst securing a permanent ceasefire is urgent, the Israeli blockade must be lifted so that Palestinians can take control of their lives instead of being trapped in a man-made cycle of aid dependency, poverty and cyclic military escalations.

UNRWA staff in Gaza face the same dangers and losses as the people they are serving. Staff have lost colleagues, family members and friends, had their homes destroyed and their lives devastated.

One of UNRWA’s staff members, Amjad Oweida, lost two of his children under particularly tragic circumstances. On 4 August, his daughter Amal, 5 years old, and his son Mohammed, 12 years old, were killed in an airstrike in Rafah. The children had insisted to leave their temporary refuge to return home to feed the doves left behind. Two weeks after his tragic loss, the 42-year old described the moment that scarred his life forever: 'I did not know what was happening. I heard the explosion but thought a neighbor's home was hit. People were screaming. We run out of the house. Then I looked around and saw that two of my five children were missing. I ran back when I saw my brother holding my son Mohammed in his arms. He was barely breathing. At that moment my mind froze. I couldn't understand what I saw. I felt completely paralyzed.' He frantically continued the search for his daughter and found her dead, burnt almost beyond recognition amidst the rubble. 'My children were only trying to feed their doves. That’s all. I could not believe that all that was left of my beautiful daughter was something black. I picked up her body and we ran to the hospital. My son died as soon as we arrived.' Mr. Oweida returned to work immediately to serve the displaced sheltered in his school, UNRWA’s Preparatory Boys School A in Rafah, where he normally works as a secretary. In the shelter he ensures that all 3,400 displaced get their daily food rations. 'Here are people that need me too', he said.”

Since 11 August 85,304 of the eligible 143,000 families received a 30kg ration of flour and a 10kg ration of rice. A total of 3,884 rations were distributed yesterday in 8 out of UNRWA’s 12 distribution centers.”

UNRWA’s regular food distribution to a total caseload of over 830,000 beneficiaries continued. Food rations were provided to 3,074 families.”

Reportedly, there were 171 rockets and 68 mortar shells fired towards Israel. There were also reports that 118 air-to-ground missiles were fired into Gaza in addition to 15 navy shells. 70 tank shells were fired from the fence into populated areas. Reportedly, 23 houses were bombarded.

Data on damage to UNRWA installations is based on preliminary information and subject to change based on further verification. UNRWA estimates that 109 installations have been damaged since 8 July 2014.

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