Sat 14 October 2023:
More than two million people are at risk as water runs out in Gaza, a UN body has warned.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East says no humanitarian supplies have been allowed into Gaza for a week amid an Israeli blockade (which it says will continue until Hamas releases all hostages).
Clean water is running out after Gaza’s water plant and public water networks stopped working, the UNRWA says.
“People will start dying of severe dehydration, among them young children, the elderly and women.”
“People are now forced to use dirty water from wells, increasing risks of waterborne diseases. Gaza has also been under an electricity blackout since 11 October, impacting the water supply,” says Philippe Lazzarini, from the UNRWA.
Nearly one million people have been displaced in one week alone.
“We need to truck fuel into Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water.
“If not, people will start dying of severe dehydration, among them young children, the elderly and women. Water is now the last remaining lifeline. I appeal for the siege on humanitarian assistance to be lifted now.”
Plane with medical supplies lands in Egypt: WHO chief
“We’re ready to deploy the supplies as soon as humanitarian access through the crossing is established.”
A plane with @WHO medical supplies to support the urgent health needs in Gaza has landed in Al Arish, #Egypt – close to the Rafah crossing.
We’re ready to deploy the supplies as soon as humanitarian access through the crossing is established.
We continue our plea to Israel to…
— Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) October 14, 2023
Border crossing between Gaza and Egypt could open today – reports
The US has been working with Egypt, Israel and Qatar to open the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Saturday afternoon, a senior State Department official has said.
“We have been trying to facilitate access for it to be open from 12 to five today,” the official told reporters travelling with US secretary of state Antony Blinken.
“The Egyptians, the Israelis and the Qataris have been working with us on that.”
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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