Gaza: UN expert on sexual violence in conflict reiterates grave concern for hostages

Gaza: UN expert on sexual violence in conflict reiterates grave concern for hostages

Pramila Patten, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, called for the immediate, safe, and unconditional release of all those who remain in captivity. Ms. Patten met this week with the mother of one of the young women taken hostage who expressed the pain, despair and helplessness that families are facing as they…

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Barely a drop of safe water to drink in Gaza, UN aid agency warns

Barely a drop of safe water to drink in Gaza, UN aid agency warns

“Access to sufficient amounts of clean water is a matter of life and death…children in Gaza have barely a drop to drink,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Children and their families are having to use water from unsafe sources that are highly salinated or polluted. Without safe water, many more children will die from deprivation…

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INTERVIEW: Destruction, displacement, and grief. Senior UNRWA official reflects on ‘unprecedented’ conflict in Gaza

INTERVIEW: Destruction, displacement, and grief. Senior UNRWA official reflects on ‘unprecedented’ conflict in Gaza

135 UNRWA staff members are known to have been killed in Gaza since the escalation of fighting since the 7 October Hamas attacks on Israel. That’s the most ever in one incident but, despite the danger and extremely difficult working conditions, UNRWA is continuing to assist those caught up in the fighting through no fault…

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UN workers delivering aid to Gaza hospital describe ‘bloodbath’ in overflowing emergency department

UN workers delivering aid to Gaza hospital describe ‘bloodbath’ in overflowing emergency department

According to the team, Patients with trauma injuries were being sutured on the floor, limited to no pain management is available at the hospital, and the emergency department is so full that workers must take care not to step on patients on the floor.  Al-Shifa Hospital, formerly the most important and largest referral hospital in…

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