Thirst grips northern Gaza Strip: Hamas official

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas official Osama Hamdan announced Thursday that thirst is gripping the northern part of the Gaza Strip and obtaining necessities takes days.

“The number of displaced persons has exceeded 1.3 million people, enduring a real tragedy in shelters, schools, and some hospitals. Their daily suffering intensifies, and they lack the most basic humanitarian, relief, and medical services,” Hamdan said at a news conference.

He said: “Access to essential supplies has become extremely rare, taking days to acquire items such as flour, bread, and gas.”

Hamdan pointed out the widespread prevalence of hunger, thirst and infectious diseases, based on statements from international organizations operating in the region.​​​​​​​

“Today, the municipality of Gaza declared that thirst is engulfing the north. Those who haven't died from bombardment are now dying as martyrs due to hunger and thirst, due to the lack of water and food, or as wounded and sick martyrs due to the lack of treatment and medicine,” he said.

The Hamas official noted that “daily aid entering the Gaza Strip does not exceed 100 trucks, while the daily needs surpass 600 trucks.”

He added that “the number of hospitals operating in the sector is only four, after approximately 55 hospitals and health facilities went out of service due to daily bombardment or the depletion of fuel and the blockade.”

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala