Israeli authorities order Al Beresh residents to evacuate amid escalating rocket fire and aid denials

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In a tense atmosphere marked by ongoing conflict, the United Nations held a daily press briefing today, shedding light on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. As the sun rose over the region, Israeli authorities ordered residents in the Al Beresh area of the Alvala governorate to evacuate westward, citing rocket fire into Israel. This directive adds to the mounting pressures faced by civilians already grappling with the consequences of war.

The UN's efforts to coordinate humanitarian aid within Gaza have faced significant obstacles. Today, six out of ten attempts to facilitate the movement of aid workers were outright rejected. Of the four that proceeded, only two were fully successful, while the others encountered serious impediments. Notably, a planned delivery of supplies to the besieged areas of North Gaza was among those denied. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted that the denial of assistance is pushing more people to flee, exacerbating an already critical situation where many have been displaced multiple times, often forced to abandon their belongings amid relentless bombardment.

In the midst of this chaos, humanitarian organizations are striving to provide support. The World Health Organization reported the evacuation of 55 patients and 72 companions from Gaza for medical treatment in the United Arab Emirates. Since October 2023, over 5,300 patients have been evacuated, yet more than 12,000 still await their chance for medical care.

Filip Lazzarini, the commissioner general of UNRWA, expressed concern over an impending Israeli Knesset bill that would ban the agency from operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, set to take effect in less than four weeks. Despite these challenges, Lazzarini reaffirmed UNRWA's commitment to continue delivering essential services. Since October, the agency has provided an astounding 6.7 million medical consultations in Gaza, averaging over 1,600 consultations daily. Additionally, around 730,000 individuals have received mental health and psychosocial support, and with the help of partners, 560,000 children under ten have been vaccinated against polio.

As the situation unfolds, the resilience of humanitarian efforts remains a beacon of hope amid the turmoil, highlighting the urgent need for sustained support and access to aid for those caught in the crossfire.

Converted from Palestine, Lebanon & Syria - Daily Press Briefing (03 January 2024) | United Nations meeting on January 04, 2025
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