GAZA: The health ministry in Gaza on Friday said that 22,600 people have been killed in the besieged territory since the war between Hamas and Israel erupted on October 7.
In a statement, the health ministry said the war now in its 91st day — has killed at least 22,600 Palestinians and injured 57,910 as Tel Aviv continues bombardment of cities, towns and refugee camps across the area.
Meanwhile the Israeli police imposed strict restrictions on the entry of worshipers to Al Aqsa Mosque in East Jerusalem to perform Friday prayers.
An official in the Islamic Waqf (Endowments) Department in Jerusalem told media that only 15,000 people were allowed to perform Friday prayers in the mosque compared to over 50,000 in a regular Friday prayer.
UN expresses alarm over escalating humanitarian crisis
UN agencies have expressed alarm over the escalating humanitarian crisis, describing living conditions as “hopeless” for the affected population.
Earlier the United Nations high commissioner slammed Israeli ministers’ remarks on forcible transfer of the people of Palestine.
Volker Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, said he was “very disturbed” by remarks made by Israeli ministers on forcible transfer of the people of Palestine.
The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says the volume of aid entering the besieged Gaza Strip remains “woefully inadequate” as Israel continues to bombard houses, shelters, and hospitals in the enclave.
OCHA said 1.9 million people in Gaza, or nearly 85 percent of the population, are estimated to be internally displaced by the end of 2023. The figures include Palestinian people who have been displaced multiple times, as families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety.
Earlier, Qatar helped broker weeklong cease-fire of the Gaza war in November. During the pause in fighting 106 Israeli captives and 240 Palestinian prisoners were freed.
The Israeli raids have almost destroyed entire neighborhoods in northern Gaza. Israeli ground troops have been facing heavy resistance from Hamas fighters in the area.
