123,500 Palestinians internally displaced in Gaza: UN

More than 123,540 Palestinians have been internally displaced as a result of Israel’s shelling of the besieged Gaza Strip, the UN OCHA said in a press release yesterday.

“The hostilities have led to internal displacement. More than 17,500 families, comprising over 123,538 people, have been internally displaced in Gaza, mostly due to fear, protection concerns and the destruction of their homes. Out of the internally displaced persons (IDPs), UNRWA estimates 73,538 people are sheltering in 64 schools, some of which are designated emergency shelters,” the statement explained.

Four large residential towers were also levelled during the bombardment; Palestine, Al-Hashim, Al-Watan and AL-Aklook. These, along with destruction caused to other properties has meant that 159 housing units have been destroyed and 1,210 have been severely damaged, the Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing said.

Six health care workers were killed and four injured by Israeli airstrikes that also damaged seven health care facilities and nine ambulances, the UN said. “Damage to WASH related facilities from Israeli airstrikes has undermined the provision of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to over 400,000 people.”

Adding that Israel cut electricity to the besieged enclave on Saturday evening, reducing the hours of electricity to 3-4 per day. “The Gaza Power Plant is currently the only source of power and could run out of fuel within days,” it warned.

Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have also come under attack, with the UN reporting that 13 Palestinians, including a 12-year-old child, were killed by Israeli forces in various areas across the West Bank. Eleven of them were killed during demonstrations in solidarity with the Gaza Strip. A further 191 have been injured.

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