GAZA STRIP: The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has decried the “unbearable” living conditions endured by residents of the Gaza Strip, where many are forced to inhabit bombed-out structures or makeshift camps surrounded by immense piles of garbage.
Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for UNRWA, delivered a stark assessment of the dire situation during a press briefing. Speaking from central Gaza via video-link to Geneva, she described the conditions as “extremely dire” and emphasized the ongoing deterioration since her return to the territory just days ago.
“It’s really unbearable,” Wateridge lamented. “Today, it has to be the worst it’s ever been. I don’t doubt that tomorrow again will be the worst it’s ever been.”
Wateridge, who spent four weeks outside Gaza before her return, expressed shock at the devastation in Khan Younis, central Gaza. “The buildings are skeletons, if at all. Everything is rubble,” she recounted. Despite the severe damage, people have returned to these structures, living amidst collapsed walls and makeshift coverings to shield themselves from the elements.
“The conditions are dire with no access to water, sanitation, or adequate food,” Wateridge explained. She highlighted the distressing reality of residents relieving themselves in open spaces due to the lack of functioning bathrooms.
Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza reported on Saturday that the toll from the ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign has been catastrophic. Since the conflict erupted on October 7, at least 37,834 people have lost their lives, with 69 deaths recorded in the past 48 hours alone. The ministry also documented 86,858 injuries among the population in Gaza.
The relentless violence has left Gaza in a state of humanitarian crisis, with infrastructure in ruins and basic services severely disrupted. The ongoing conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on civilian lives, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.
