Desperation is spreading in Gaza: at least 11 schools have been attacked this month, killing nearly 100 people

Children collecting water in Gaza

According to OCHA, about 80 per cent of the 2.3 million people in the Gaza Strip have been displaced during the Israel-nearly year-long offensive, many of whom continue to live in dire conditions, crammed into dilapidated tents and damaged buildings, and severely deprived of basic necessities such as food and water.

As winter approaches, the risk of flooding near camps and health care sites for displaced people is expected to increase, further exacerbating the risk of disease transmission.

Aid remains hampered

Since September, nearly 90 per cent of humanitarian operations between the north and south of the Gaza Strip have been denied or obstructed, according to OCHA.

Gaza's health ministry reported Friday that 103 Palestinians had been killed from September 22 to 26, bringing the death toll to 41,534 since Hamas launched a terrorist attack in southern Israel on October 7.

The OCHA report states that the Israel military has confirmed that no Israel soldiers have been killed in action from 23 September to this Friday. Since the outbreak of the ground war, a total of 346 Israel soldiers have been killed in Gaza or along the Israel border.

The Council will meet later on Friday to receive an update on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

West Bank repression

UN spokeswoman Stéphane Dujarric said at a regular lunchtime briefing that OCHA data shows that obstacles to Palestinian freedom of movement in the occupied West Bank have increased by more than 20 percent since last June. He said the cumulative impact of restrictions on movement was severe and could further exacerbate divisions in the West Bank, affecting access to livelihoods and services for thousands of Palestinians and exacerbating already difficult living conditions for many.

Reports show that violence continues. Between 17 and 23 September, 11 Palestinians were killed in the West Bank, including two children. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 527 attacks on health facilities in the West Bank from 7 October 2023 to 30 July this year, including obstruction of access to health care, use of force, detention, and militarized searches.