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'40,000 lives reported gone in just over 10 months in Gaza': UN official

August 19, 2024 at 3:43 pm

Bodies of Palestinians who lost their life in Israeli attacks, are brought to al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital for burial in Deir al-Balah, Gaza on August 18, 2024. [Ashraf Amra – Anadolu Agency]

At least 40,000 people have died in Gaza “in just about 10 months”, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), said on Monday, adding that the numbers are “possibly” higher, Anadolu Agency reports.

Philippe Lazzarini described on X what has been going on in Gaza as “a very grim milestone at the world’s watch.”

“40,000 lives reportedly gone in just over 10 months in #Gaza. And possibly, it’s even more,” he lamented, adding: “Whatever dispute there is over the numbers, there is no dispute over the immense suffering.”

“This is a direct result of a collective failure to reach a ceasefire,” the official criticised. “Far too many of those killed are women & children.”

“Among those killed are over 200 @UNRWA team members, more than 100 journalists & way too many health workers,” he stated.

READ: All kinds of torture, genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza, says sister of deceased aid worker

He further called for “a ceasefire, the release of the hostages” and “humanitarian assistance and protection for civilians in Gaza.”

“People are desperate, exhausted & anxious in #Gaza, in #Israel + in many parts of the region,” he stressed.

“Hear them out, for once.”

For months, the US, Qatar and Egypt have been trying to reach an agreement between Israel and Hamas to ensure a prisoner exchange and ceasefire and allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza.

But mediation efforts have been stalled due to Netanyahu’s refusal to meet Hamas’ demands to stop the war.

Flouting a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel has faced international condemnation amid its continued brutal offensive on Gaza since a 7 October, 2023 attack by Hamas.

The Israeli onslaught has since killed nearly 40,100 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 92,600, according to local health authorities.

More than 10 months into the Israeli onslaught, vast tracts of Gaza lie in ruins amid a crippling blockade of food, clean water and medicine.

Israel is accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice, whose latest ruling ordered it to immediately halt its military operation in the southern city of Rafah, where more than 1 million Palestinians had sought refuge from the war before it was invaded on 6 May.

READ: PA working to ensure success of Abbas’ visit to Gaza