UNRWA establishes first shelter camp for displaced Palestinians in Gaza

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has taken a significant step by establishing the very first shelter camp to provide refuge for displaced Palestinians in the beleaguered Gaza Strip. This essential facility was inaugurated on Thursday at the UNRWA industrial training station, strategically located in the heart of Gaza.

In the wake of the Israeli strikes that have shaken the region, the shelter camp has swiftly become a temporary haven for numerous families who found themselves compelled to seek sanctuary from the ongoing turmoil. Their plight was further exacerbated by the distressing conditions on the ground, where they were forced to find shelter amid growing mounds of refuse and debris.

UNRWA reports have revealed that a staggering number of over one million people, constituting nearly half of Gaza’s entire population, have been displaced, all while receiving evacuation warnings from the Israeli army. The dire situation has led to an unprecedented displacement crisis in the region.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing has confirmed that a minimum of 4,821 residential buildings, comprising a total of 12,845 housing units, have been utterly demolished as a result of the Israeli strikes, leaving countless families without homes or shelter.

Meanwhile, the health ministry in Gaza reports that the number of Palestinian fatalities has surged beyond 3,785, with over 13,000 individuals suffering injuries since October 7.

The recent escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, which governs Gaza, was initiated on October 7 when Hamas launched an unexpected attack on southern Israel near the Gaza border. In response, Israel conducted airstrikes and imposed a blockade, resulting in the severance of vital resources such as water, electricity, fuel, and other supplies to Gaza.