Aid Worker Describes Devastation in Gaza

Strategic Insights -

A senior aid worker with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has returned to Gaza, describing the area as "hell on earth" after months of Israeli bombardment and a breakdown in law and order. The worker, Ms. Wateridge, spoke hours after arriving in Gaza, citing the severe damage to infrastructure, homes, and aid facilities. The area's economy has been severely impacted, with only 14 percent of the fuel that used to enter Gaza on a monthly basis allowed in since October 2023. Aid operations continue to be hampered by the difficulty of retrieving fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israeli bombardment has left Gaza in a state of devastation, with entire areas resembling a "ghost town" due to widespread destruction.
  • Law and order have broken down in Gaza, with reports of looting and armed men stopping aid trucks in search of food.
  • Every single UNRWA facility, including schools, warehouses, and food distribution centers, has been significantly damaged or destroyed, with bullet holes, blown-out walls, and collapsed floors.
  • Aid operations continue to be hampered by the difficulty of retrieving fuel from the Kerem Shalom crossing, with UNRWA workers facing challenges in distributing aid due to the limited fuel supply.
  • The breakdown in law and order has left UNRWA workers and their families displaced and traumatized, with many relying on UN support to survive.
  • The Gaza economy has been severely impacted, with a significant reduction in fuel imports and aid deliveries, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Statistics:

  • Only 14 percent of fuel (2 million litres) that used to enter Gaza on a monthly basis prior to October 2023 has been allowed into the enclave since January 2024 (14 million litres).
  • The number of aid trucks that arrive in Gaza is extremely low compared to the number of armed men and looters trying to access them for food.
  • Every single UNRWA facility has been significantly damaged or destroyed, with an estimated cost of repair and reconstruction yet to be calculated.

Sources:

  • "Going back into 'hell': An aid worker's journey through shattered Gaza." M2 PressWIRE, July 1, 2024.
  • "Global perspective Human stories | Middle East." UN News, no date (exact date not specified in the original text).