Over 61 Million Tonnes Of Debris Left By 2 Years Of Israeli Attacks On Gaza: UN Agency

ISTANBUL, Oct 23 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said on Thursday that more than 61 million tonnes of debris blankets the Gaza Strip as a result of more than two years of Israel’s war, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.

“Entire neighbourhoods have been erased, and families search the ruins for water, for shelter,” UNRWA said on the US social media company X.

The agency stressed that its humanitarian mission and lifesaving assistance for the Palestinian people continues in Gaza despite the ongoing Israeli blockade and restrictions on UNRWA aid stocks.

According to UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini, the agency has medicine, essential supplies, and a sufficient amount of food for the coming three months for the entire Gaza population.

In October 2024, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, voted in favour of blocking UNRWA operations in the occupied West Bank and Gaza due to the alleged involvement of its staff in attacks by the Palestinian group Hamas on Oct 7, 2023.

But on Wednesday, the International Court of Justice rejected Israel’s claims, saying that “Israel has not substantiated its allegations that a significant part of UNRWA employees are members of Hamas” or were involved in the attacks.

The court also ruled that Israel is obliged under the Geneva Convention to agree to and facilitate relief schemes provided by third states and impartial humanitarian groups, including UNRWA and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to ensure that sufficient aid reaches the Gaza Strip.

Since October 2023, Israel’s genocidal war has killed over 68,000 people and injured more than 170,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

A ceasefire deal took effect on Oct 10 in Gaza, based on a phased plan presented by US President Donald Trump.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU