The war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has continued six months now. The statistics are horrible. About 33,000 Palestinians have been killed, and thousands more are missing under the rubble of collapsed buildings – they are presumed dead. Nearly 76,000 have been injured. Almost all 2.3 million people in Gaza face starvation. According to the United Nations, there will be famine in various parts of Gaza by May. In North Gaza, people have to survive on 245 calories a day, which is only 12% of their caloric needs. Over 80% of Gaza’s population have been internally displaced. The war has damaged or destroyed roughly 62% of all homes in Gaza. Only 10 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are functioning partially. The war has damaged or destroyed 84% of health facilities. (1)
During his speech to the media on Friday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said (2):
“Over the last six months, the Israeli military campaign has brought relentless death and destruction to Palestinians in Gaza – with more than 32,000 people reportedly killed and more than 75,000 injured – the vast majority women and children. Lives are shattered. Respect for international humanitarian law is in tatters.”
“More than half the population – over a million people – are facing catastrophic hunger. Children in Gaza today are dying for lack of food and water. This is incomprehensible, and entirely avoidable. Nothing can justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.”
“I repeat my urgent appeals for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, the protection of civilians, and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.”
“Six months on, we are at the brink: of mass starvation; of regional conflagration; of a total loss of faith in global standards and norms. It’s time to step back from that brink – to silence the guns – to ease the horrible suffering — and to stop a potential famine before it is too late.”
References:
(1) “Israel’s war on Gaza – six relentless months of death and destruction” Al Jazeera 7.4.2024
(2) “Secretary-General’s Press Encounter on Gaza” United Nations 5.4.2024
IDIS Observer 