Sunday, January 18, 2009

Situation on the Ground After the Ceasefire - OCHA

UN Office of Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Field Update, 17-18 January, 1700 hours - Some highlights:

Following 22 days of Israeli bombardment from December 27, 2008 through January 18, 2009:
  • 1,300 Palestinians are known dead, of whom 410 children and 104 women; many more are being pulled out of rubble
  • 5,300 known injured, of whom, 1,855 children and 795 women
  • Accurate estimation of casualties is not possible at present
  • 9 Israeli soldiers and 4 Israeli civilians killed; 84 Israeli civilians injured; number of soldiers injured not noted
  • "Livelihoods and assets of tens of thousands of civilians are being systematically undermined through the destruction of productive resources such as fruit orchards, fisheries, and basic industries"
  • Israeli army remains in north, east, and Rafah border areas; reportedly pulling back from Gaza City and Rafah areas
  • 50 UN facilities have sustained damage in the 22-day bombardment
  • Shifa Hospital powered only by generators
  • Al-Quds Red Crescent Hospital destroyed Jan 15; Al-Wafa Rehabilitation Hospital damaged but functioning
  • 400,000 Gazans have no running water
  • 2 million liters of sewage have leaked out onto agricultural land in Gaza City
  • 30 cubic meters sewage flowing into streets of Beit Hanoun every hours
  • Gaza Power Plant only partially functioning; most Gazans have intermittent electricity
  • Cash has not entered the Gaza Strip - there is no functioning bank system; salaries of government and UN personnel have not been paid

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