Latest Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report | 27 FEB - 3 MARCH 2008

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Gaza_Situation_Report_2008_02_30_Final2.pdf

KEY OBSERVATIONS

· Israeli air strikes on Gaza and rocket attacks on Israeli towns from Palestinian militants in Gaza continued during the reporting period.

· Between 27 February and 2 March, 107 Palestinians were killed by the IDF and 250 were injured. During the same period two Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian were killed and 25 injured, mainly by Qassam rockets and Grad missiles fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel.1 (See chart below)

· The IDF operation exacerbated an already deteriorating humanitarian situation emanating from the near total blockade on Gaza since June 2007. Essential services, including water and sanitation, are close to breakdown. Because of the combined lack of electricity, fuel, spare parts and inability to upgrade networks, the Gaza Coastal Municipality Water Utility is forced to continue dumping daily 20 million litres of raw sewage and 40 million litres of partially treated water into the sea.

· The IDF operation has worsened conditions for an already stretched medical system.

For More information please contact Khulood Badawi 054-448-4632 badawi@un.org


United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House
P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem
Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
Fax:++972-2-5825841
email:ochaopt@un.org
www.ochaopt.org

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We have modified yesterday's Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report, 27 Feb – 3 March 2008 by inserting a few additional important pieces of information. These additions are listed underneath as well as the link to the revised version of the report:
http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Gaza_Situation_Report_2008_02_30_Final4.pdf

- Medical services: Hospitals are still operational but are extremely vulnerable due to shortages of fuel.

- Ambulances: During the ground operations ambulances and medical teams faced difficulties evacuating the wounded. The ambulance services in the Gaza Strip are severely restricted due to fuel shortage; by the end of February 23 out of 56 MOH ambulances and 7 out of 40 PRCS ambulances were forced to stop due to lack of fuel.

- Food: UN food supplies are insufficient to cover Gaza's nutritional needs and a sustained access for commercial supplies is essential.

For more information please contact Khulood Badawi 054 44 84 632 badawi@un.org
Best regards
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
Fax:++972-2-5825841
email:ochaopt@un.org
www.ochaopt.org