UN Reports 23 Million Tonnes of Debris in Gaza After Ongoing Israeli Bombing.

Amidst the aftermath of the Israeli war against Gaza, the United Nations has revealed the devastating impact, with almost 23 million tonnes of rubble and unexploded weapons strewn across the besieged enclave. UN humanitarian officials have issued a stark warning, emphasizing that it will take years to ensure the safety of Gaza once again.

The UN agency for Palestinians, UNRWA, highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stating that the lives of over two million Gazans have been profoundly affected by the relentless Israeli bombardment since October 7. Despite the dire situation, UNWRA remains the largest relief agency in Gaza, providing vital supplies and services to over 1.5 million displaced individuals in the southern part of the enclave.

UNWRA operates shelters for more than one million people, offering humanitarian relief and primary healthcare services. Despite facing intense Israeli bombardment and ground operations, the agency continues its lifesaving humanitarian work.

The latest update from the UN Aid Coordination Office, OCHA, reports ongoing violence across Gaza, particularly in the Hamad area of Khan Younis. This violence has resulted in civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of civilian infrastructure. OCHA highlights the urgent need for larger-scale assessments to address explosive threats, while also noting challenges such as restrictions on humanitarian mine action supplies and authorization requirements for specialized personnel deployment.

Australia recently announced its intention to resume funding for UNRWA, joining efforts to support the agency amidst dwindling international donor support. This decline followed Israeli allegations of UNRWA staff involvement in the October 7 war. A high-level UN investigation into these allegations is ongoing, with UNRWA conducting its own inquiry and dismissing nine staff members following the allegations.

Despite these challenges, the UN and humanitarian organizations continue to work tirelessly to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and provide essential support to those affected.