On-the-record update #7 on situation in Gaza, Palestine

An update from Hassan Morajea, NRC’s regional access advisor, in Deir al-Balah:

“People are living in a constant state of unpredictability, not knowing what is going to come next, be it more displacements, more relocations, or a regional escalation. All those worries are adding a level of emotional and psychological stress to the hardship already faced by people because of the lack of food and water, and the inability to provide shelter for their families.

“It is a massive challenge to balance operational necessity and aid workers’ personal safety in an area that is completely riddled with threats. Everyone is wondering if there will be another wave of forcible transfers and if it could impact Deir al-Balah, where aid teams and a large percentage of displaced people are concentrated. If so, what do we do?

“In Gaza, there is nowhere for people to go; fleeing to somewhere with shelter is not an option. The streets are uninhabitable, crowded with people using anything that will offer some semblance of a roof over their heads, even if that is in a damaged building scarred with holes, and destruction around them. It’s shocking to see people living in ruins, but that's what's happening here in Gaza, because there is no other option. There aren’t open fields to even set up a tent. There aren't even tents for them to set up.

“Humanitarian aid in Gaza is trickling through, nowhere near enough to meet the dire needs of the population here. There is a lack of drinking water, water for domestic use, food, and medicine. We had to hire a donkey cart to transport some hygiene items; just one example of the lengths that our aid teams must go to ensure people receive help.

“But on top of this, we are faced with multiple layers of bureaucracy when attempting to bring basic aid items. Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order continue to hinder aid access. Cash availability remains extremely limited, so we struggle to pay local vendors and try to work with those who can take bank transfers.

“There needs to be stronger collective action from the world to ensure that humanitarian aid enters Gaza unhindered, and that people are offered protection, wherever they are. People must be able to live their lives and be able provide for their families.

“The hostilities must end. There needs to be a sustainable ceasefire. Flows of goods, both humanitarian and commercial, need to be allowed to come through to deflate the extremely high prices and support people in their recovery.”

Latest updates from NRC teams in Gaza

• NRC’s Health, Safety and Security team estimates that recent relocation orders have reduced the size of Israel’s unilaterally designated “humanitarian zones” in Gaza from 20 per cent to 14.5 per cent. The orders affected eastern areas of Khan Younis on 22 July, southern areas of Khan Younis on 27 July, and most of Al-Bureij and the eastern areas of Nuseirat in the Middle Area on 28 July. The UN estimated that 86 per cent of Gaza was subject to Israeli-issued relocation orders. Following that estimate, Israeli authorities issued new relocation orders in southern Khan Younis on 5 August, further shrinking the “humanitarian zones”.
• Humanitarian partners on the ground estimate that over 200,000 people were displaced from Khan Younis and Deir al-Balah between 22-28 July following Israel’s latest relocation orders.
• The UN reported that since the Israeli military operation in Rafah began in May, the volume of aid trucks (excluding fuel) entering Gaza has decreased from a daily average of 169 trucks in April to 75 in July – representing a 56 per cent decrease.
• NRC has been unable to transport aid from crossing points to its warehouses in Gaza since 3 May – a period of three months – and currently has an estimated 488 pallets of aid stranded at Kerem Shalom. On 3 August, some NRC relief items were transported by the Logistics Cluster to their warehouse.
• Gaza’s liquidity crisis continues to impede humanitarian operations and impact civil society. NRC has produced an infographic which explains the causes and effect of the crisis.

NRC response between 19 July - 1 August:

• Among other activities, NRC has provided safe drinking water for 43,000 displaced people every day, including in 10 makeshift sites in Deir al-Balah, despite security constraints. NRC responded to the new displacement from Gaza City and Khan Younis by distributing 32 tents and NFI kits, 147 hygiene kits and 368 kitchen sets.
• NRC’s Education team provided psychosocial support (PSS) to 1,800 children in four makeshift sites in Deir al-Balah.

Multimedia content:

• Photos and videos from Gaza can be downloaded for free use here.

For information or to arrange an interview, please contact:

• NRC's global media hotline: media@nrc.no, +47 905 62 329
• Ahmed Bayram, Middle East and North Africa regional media adviser: ahmed.bayram@nrc.no, +962 790 160 147