Highlights
On 27 December, the IDF launched an attack of unprecedented scale on the Gaza Strip, labelled "Operation Cast Lead", the stated aims of which were to end the firing of rockets into Southern Israel since the end of the 19 December Egyptian-negotiated "calm".
The exact casualty figures are unknown at the time of publication. However, as of 11 January 2009 it is estimated that over 800 people have been killed and over 3,300 Palestinians injured. The Israeli offensive has resulted in the largest number of forcibly displaced Palestinians since 2967; over 21,000 displaced persons are currently taking shelter in UNRWA facilities across the Gaza Strip. For the latest OCHA situation reports on Gaza, please visit www.ochaopt.org
Bombings have affected thousands of civilians including refugees, who represent over 70% of the population in Gaza. The bombing campaign has already wrought extensive damage to public infrastructure and hundreds of civilian homes and businesses. Coming in the wake of a year and a half of severe blockade that has brought the Gaza economy to the brink of collapse, the ongoing operation is dealing another severe blow to an already impoverished population whose coping mechanisms are nearly exhausted. For several days, the International Red Crescent Society reported that the Israeli authorities refused to allow their medical team into Gaza. The team, which consists of four specialists led by an experienced ICRC war surgeon, is to help the staff of Shifa hospital with complex operations on people injured by the bombing.
Humanitarian agencies launched appeals to assist the victims of this bombing campaign. UNRWA launched a Special Appeal for US$34 million to provide emergency assistance for four months, with a focus on the provision of emergency shelter support, cash assistance and food to affected families; and the provision of fuel to municipalities and utilities (for full details, please visit www.unrwa.org). The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) has launched a preliminary emergency appeal for US$ 6.8 million to support its response to the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza strip (http://www.ifrc.org/Docs/News/08/08123101/index.asp).
The Humanitarian Update is a monthly publication from UN OCHA's Regional Office in Dubai, reporting on the main humanitarian events in the Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia. For more information on Iraq or OPT, please visit www.ochairaq.org and www.ochaopt.org
For more information, please contact:
Nadia Evans, OCHA Dubai, 00971 50 2279808, evans2@un.org
