At least 26 Palestinians have lost their lives in the Gaza Strip since last Tuesday, the eve of the Islamic holiday of Eid al Adha, according to a denunciation this Friday by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The body has warned of an "aggravation" of the humanitarian crisis despite the ceasefire declared in October.
The report prepared by UN investigators details that the Israeli military offensive has caused the death of 922 Palestinians since the truce was announced in October, raising the global death toll to almost 73,000 since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, according to figures released by local authorities. Among the victims registered during the period of cessation of hostilities are at least 32 minors and eight women.
The Office of Human Rights has expressed its serious concern following the announcement by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who on Thursday ordered the Armed Forces to expand their deployment to cover 70% of the Gaza Strip territory. The United Nations has stressed that the constant reduction of areas considered safe for the civilian population "severely hinders" both access to humanitarian aid and the possibilities of finding refuge.
"Continuing military attacks against a population living under these conditions is unthinkable," said Ajith Sunghay, head of the UN human rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Sunghay stressed that the Gazan population "survives among ruins and under a blockade that has destroyed practically all essential systems, including health, education, and food production."
In parallel, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that an aerial bombardment registered on Thursday hit a residential area near five humanitarian facilities in Deir al Balá, in the center of the Strip. Although the impact occurred shortly after the Israeli Army released a shelter order and no casualties have been reported, the agency has insisted on the urgent need to enable more border crossings for the entry of aid and commercial goods, given that the Kerem Shalom crossing continues to be the only one operational.