The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached an unprecedented level.
UNRWA warned that it would be forced to halt all operations by tonight unless fuel was allowed into Gaza immediately.
The office said hospitals were stopping work due to lack of fuel, water, medical supplies and staff. Fuel is being severely rationed for a select number of vital facilities. Standby generators are not equipped for continuous operation and may malfunction.
He added that food stocks are running out. The World Food Program estimates that current supplies of basic foodstuffs in Gaza are sufficient for about 12 days. However, the stock in stores is expected to last only five days.
He added that Palestinians resort to drinking well water, which contains an extremely high percentage of salts and poses immediate health risks. Health partners have also detected cases of smallpox, scabies and diarrhea due to poor sanitary conditions and consumption of water from unsafe sources.
The office stated that local authorities reported that more than 40 percent of all housing units in the Gaza Strip were destroyed or damaged.
