Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report Feb. 27 - March 3, 2008

Here is a link to the most up to date Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report from United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

27 FEB - 3 MARCH 2008

http://www.ochaopt.org/documents/Gaza_Situation_Report_2008_02_30_Final2.pdf

KEY OBSERVATIONS

• Israeli air strikes on Gaza and rocket attacks on Israeli towns from Palestinian militants in Gaza continued during the reporting period.
  
  
• Between 27 February and 2 March, 107 Palestinians were killed by the IDF and 250 were injured. During the same period two Israeli soldiers and one Israeli civilian were killed and 25 injured, mainly by Qassam rockets and Grad missiles fired by Palestinian militants towards Israel. (See a chart at the web link above.)
  
  
• The IDF operation exacerbated an already deteriorating humanitarian situation emanating from the near total blockade on Gaza since June 2007. Essential services, including water and sanitation, are close to breakdown. Because of the combined lack of electricity, fuel, spare parts and inability to upgrade networks, the Gaza Coastal Municipality Water Utility is forced to continue dumping daily 20 million litres of raw sewage and 40 million litres of partially treated water into the sea.
  
  
• The IDF operation has worsened conditions for an already stretched medical system.

For more information please contact Khulood Badawi
054-448-4632
badawi@un.org

United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Mac House
P.O.Box 38712
Jerusalem

Tel:++ 972-2-5829962/5853
Fax:++972-2-5825841

email: ochaopt@un.org
www.ochaopt.org