New York (Web Desk): Amid continued Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip that have claimed the lives of at least 23 individuals, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has issued an urgent call to “get international media into Gaza” to cover the conflict,
In addition to those reporters who remain trapped inside Gaza, Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stressed the need to bring foreign journalists into the territory to ensure comprehensive coverage of the conflict.
“Palestinian journalists continue to do heroic work, paying a heavy price; 170 have been killed to date,” Lazzarini stated. “The free flow of information and independent reporting are key to facts and accountability during conflicts.”
Lazzarini underscored that in the more than 18 months since the war in Gaza began, objective reporting has often been replaced by propaganda and harmful, “dehumanizing” rhetoric surrounding the war.
Ajith Sunghay, who leads the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, echoed these concerns regarding the grave dangers journalists face. “They have been subject to oppression in many instances we’ve recorded – killings and censorship and detention,” he told UN News. “But we have also recorded a massive spike in such operations – attacks, killings, detention and censorship – since 7 October 2023.”
According to OHCHR, 209 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since October 7, 2023. This figure reflects all journalists killed, whether while working or in their homes.
In the West Bank, the conditions for media workers are also dire. OHCHR has received reports of detained journalists suffering simulated beatings and female journalists facing threats of sexual violence by Israeli authorities.
“Journalists are civilians and are protected from attacks under international humanitarian law unless they’re directly participating in hostilities,” Sunghay added, noting that Palestinian authorities have also been accused of repressing press freedoms. “The intentional killings of journalists is a war crime, and this is something that we have highlighted on several occasions.”
At the same time, other UN bodies are warning about the worsening effects of Israel’s blockade on food, fuel, and supplies, now entering its sixth week. With dwindling resources, UNRWA reported that “bakeries shutting, hospitals running out of medicine” and fuel needed for hospital generators are almost depleted.
Since the renewal of Israeli military activity on March 18, an estimated 500,000 people have been newly displaced or forced to flee again, said UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay. Her remarks followed reports that Israel’s defense minister announced troops would maintain a presence in Gaza’s so-called security zones indefinitely, as well as in Lebanon and Syria.
Aid operations have been severely constrained. Of six humanitarian missions coordinated with Israeli authorities on a recent Wednesday, only two were permitted to proceed. “The remaining four were denied,” Tremblay said, referencing OCHA, the UN’s humanitarian coordination office. One of the blocked missions aimed to retrieve urgently needed fuel from Rafah.
Currently, around 30 percent of Gaza has been designated a security buffer zone by the Israeli military, making it uninhabitable for Palestinian civilians.
Despite relentless bombardment, evacuation orders, and ongoing military operations, UN aid agencies persist in their efforts to assist the people of Gaza under extremely challenging conditions.
UNRWA recently reopened a health center in Maan, southern Gaza, which had been heavily damaged during an Israeli incursion into east Khan Younis in December 2023.
The facility now serves around 1,300 patients and offers outpatient care, treatment for chronic diseases, medication, vaccinations, antenatal and postnatal care, physiotherapy, and psychological support.
A blood drive is also underway at UNRWA medical sites in southern Gaza in response to an acute shortage of blood units for life-saving procedures.
“Medicines and medical consumables are rapidly running out in Gaza, including critically low levels of supplies and blood units for maternal and child health,” the UN agency reported.
UNRWA has successfully repaired a water well in Jabalia camp that serves roughly 20,000 displaced residents and individuals staying in seven UNRWA shelters in the area. The project was completed using recycled and salvaged parts. The agency now operates five wells: three in Jabalia, one in Gaza City, and one in Khan Younis.
UNICEF estimates that about one million residents of Gaza, including 400,000 children, have seen their access to drinking water plummet—from 16 liters per person daily to only six.
Roughly 2,500 cubic meters of wastewater and 230 tonnes of solid waste are being collected daily in Gaza, which accounts for just 40 percent of what is needed.
OCHA’s latest figures reveal that over 51,000 Palestinians have been killed since the onset of the war on October 7, 2023, with another 116,343 injured. Since March 18 alone, 1,630 individuals have died and 4,302 more have been wounded, according to Gaza health authorities.
“The lack of heavy machinery and equipment hinder rescue efforts of the wounded and missing while casualties continue to fall due to continued bombardment by Israeli forces, including on tents for displaced people,” OCHA said.
The UN’s Nutrition Cluster has also raised the alarm over the rapidly worsening condition of children’s nutrition in Gaza.
In March, 3,696 children were newly diagnosed with acute malnutrition out of 91,769 screened. This marked a significant increase from February, when 2,027 children were identified among 83,823 screened.