Harare, (New Ziana) – Nearly two million Palestinians are enduring dire humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where approximately 270 000 tents and displacement sites are providing shelter to people displaced by Israeli attacks.
An estimated 60 to 85 percent of the tents are worn out and no longer suitable for habitation, while more than 400 000 displaced people are living in particularly vulnerable locations exposed to flooding, rainwater accumulation and coastal hazards.
The situation has been further aggravated by the destruction of sewage systems and rainwater drainage infrastructure, heightening the risk of contamination and disease outbreaks as adverse weather conditions set in.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ambassador of the State of Palestine to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri called for urgent international intervention to prevent further loss of life in Gaza, where flooding, collapsing buildings and worsening winter conditions are compounding an already severe humanitarian emergency.
He said the first rains of the season had exposed the precarious living conditions of displaced Palestinians, with preliminary assessments indicating that more than 70 000 tents had been flooded.
“Buildings and walls already weakened by Israeli bombardments have also collapsed, causing injuries among civilians. The crisis is not simply a result of severe weather but has been compounded by prolonged conflict, widespread destruction of infrastructure, continued displacement and restrictions on humanitarian assistance,” Dr Almassri said.
The ambassador accused Israel of obstructing the implementation of relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, including Resolutions 2720 and 2803, and urged the international community, the United Nations and humanitarian organisations to take concrete and coordinated action to safeguard civilian lives.
He said expressions of concern were no longer sufficient, stressing the need for practical measures to facilitate humanitarian operations and ensure that assistance reaches vulnerable populations across the Gaza Strip.
Dr Almassri said Palestine was calling for increased international pressure on Israel to open all border crossings and allow the unrestricted and sustained delivery of humanitarian supplies in adequate quantities to all affected areas.
“The international community has both the means and responsibility to intervene, particularly by ensuring the implementation of relevant Security Council resolutions and guaranteeing unhindered humanitarian assistance,” he said.
New Ziana
