The United Nations has issued a fresh warning regarding the ongoing Israeli military aggression across the Gaza Strip, stating that these operations continue to endanger the lives of Palestinians and significantly exacerbate humanitarian needs. Farhan Haq, the deputy spokesman for the UN, informed reporters that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has documented multiple security incidents since Friday, several of which resulted in civilian casualties.
Haq reiterated the stance of the OCHA, emphasizing that international humanitarian law mandates the protection of both civilians and essential civilian infrastructure. Beyond the immediate impact of military strikes, humanitarian organizations are actively addressing the prevalence of explosive hazards across the enclave. Since the conflict began in October 2023, teams have identified and marked over 1,000 items of explosive ordnance. These efforts have been instrumental in clearing debris, facilitating access to critical infrastructure, and restoring vital water and sanitation services.
Despite these efforts, humanitarian partners are calling for a broader range of essential supplies and specialized equipment to be permitted into Gaza. Such access is deemed critical to expanding life-saving services and mitigating the risks faced by civilians, including children, as well as the humanitarian workers operating in the region. The conflict has caused widespread devastation, with the UN estimating that 90 percent of Gaza's civilian infrastructure has been affected, leading to projected reconstruction costs of approximately $70 billion.
Since the hostilities commenced in October 2023, the war has resulted in the deaths of more than 73,000 Palestinians and left over 174,000 wounded, though a ceasefire agreement was eventually established to halt the violence.
