Plight of Gazas People Continues to Worsen, OCHA Warns

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that the plight of Gazas people continues to worsen in the enclave where humanitarian operations are ongoing where feasible amid repeated evacuation orders from the Israeli occupation military. OCHA's spokesperson Jens Laerke rejected any suggestion of stopping the lifesaving aid operation, despite the multiple challenges, adding that there has been no decision to halt OCHA's operations, as OCHA been there for 10 months, and it is ongoing where feasible. He emphasized that only 11 per cent of the territory of the Gaza Strip is not under evacuation orders, as OCHA is trying to work with that number and keep the operation going. Laerke noted that a total of 16 evacuation orders have been issued for the month of August alone, creating upheaval for Gazans already uprooted multiple times. The same orders have also encompassed the UNs aid hub in the central city of Deir Al Balah. According to OCHA, since last Friday, the Is raeli military has issued three new evacuation orders for over 19 neighborhoods in northern Gaza and in Deir Al Balah. More than 8,000 people sheltering in these areas have been impacted. Laerke said there is a particular concern about the evacuation order issued on Sunday affecting part of Deir Al Balah used by humanitarians. He added that this order affected 15 premises hosting UN and NGO aid workers, four UN warehouses, Al Aqsa hospital, two clinics, three wells, one water reservoir and one desalination plant, indicating that these evacuations happened at very short notice and in dangerous conditions. Source: Qatar News Agency