UNRWA says food distribution in Rafah suspended, citing insecurity

UNRWA says food – The UN Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) says food distribution in the southern Gaza city of Rafah has been suspended due to a lack of supplies and insecurity in the densely populated city.

UNRWA said in a statement on Tuesday that only seven of its 24 health centers were operational and that it had not received any medical supplies in the past 10 days due to “closures/disruptions” in Rafah and Karem Abu Salem, known in Israel. like Kerem Shalom – crossings into Gaza.

It said the closure of the Rafah crossing from Egypt had halted the delivery of at least 82,000 tonnes of supplies, while access to the Karem Abu Salem crossing from Israel was limited due to “hostilities, difficult logistical conditions, and complex procedures.” of coordination”.

In northern Gaza, where the UN warns that a famine is imminent, Wosornu said the Beit Hanoon (Erez) crossing had been closed since May 9 and that the newly opened West Erez crossing “is now being used for limited amounts of aid, but now areas in the vicinity of this crossing are also under evacuation orders” by Israel.

Before Israel began its assault on Rafah, the city was home to 1.5 million people, most of whom had been forcibly displaced from other parts of Gaza. Since then, hundreds of thousands have fled the city, according to the UN.

UNRWA says food

Israel has said it intends to expand operations in Rafah despite US warnings about the risk of mass casualties in the southern city.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that President Joe Biden’s administration remains “very concerned” about a major Israeli operation in Rafah. Despite saying he does not agree with a large-scale operation in Rafah, the Biden administration has continued to provide Israel with military and diplomatic support.UNRWA says food

As the people of Gaza face hunger, we urge Israel to lift the blockade and allow aid through. Without more aid reaching Gaza, we cannot maintain our vital support to hospitals.WHO’s Tedros said at a news conference in Geneva.

He said the closure affected six hospitals and nine primary health centers and caused 70 shelters to lose their medical facilities.UNRWA says food

“Daily consultations have fallen by about 40 percent and immunization by 50 percent,” he stated.UNRWA says food

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli forces attacked the emergency department and main gates of Kamal Adwan Hospital, Al Khoudary said. Patients and Palestinians who have sought refuge there are being evacuated, he added.

UNRWA says food

“Approximately 700 seriously ill patients who would otherwise have been evacuated for medical care elsewhere are trapped in a war zone.”Gaza’s healthcare system has essentially collapsed since Israel began its offensive there following the October 7 Hamas attacks on southern Israel.UNRWA says food

Tedros also said that al-Awda hospital in northern Gaza remains under siege since Sunday, with 148 hospital staff and 22 patients and their accompanying people trapped inside. He said fighting near the Kamal Adwan hospital, also in northern Gaza, had jeopardized its ability to care for patients.

“These are the only two functional hospitals left in northern Gaza,” Tedros said. “It is imperative to ensure their ability to provide health services.”UNRWA says food