Gaza casualties mount as patients go through Rafah crossing: UN humanitarians

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Gaza Ministry of Health reported dozens of fatalities and injuries over the past 24 hours, while patients and companions went through the Rafah crossing, UN humanitarians said Thursday.

"Last night, teams on the ground received 25 additional returnees who had crossed through Rafah," the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said. "As in previous nights, the UN Development Programme provided transportation to Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis."

OCHA and its partners at Nasser Hospital welcomed the returnees from Egypt in a reception area, with protection specialists, psychologists, medical personnel and other support, said the office.

On Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners supported the medical evacuation of eight patients and 17 companions from Gaza to Egypt through Rafah. Early on Thursday, they supported the medical evacuation of an additional seven patients and 14 companions.

"UN colleagues are working with all stakeholders to address persistent challenges hindering the operations, so that more people can receive the care that they need - safely and with dignity," OCHA said.

The WHO said its key priority was to ensure the entry of more humanitarian supplies into Gaza and to quickly scale up health services, rehabilitate damaged facilities and expand critical services, efforts essential to build a resilient and sustainable health system and to reduce the need for medical evacuations.

In the West Bank, the office warned that high levels of displacement continue. Since the beginning of the year, more than 900 Palestinians have been forced out of their homes or communities, primarily due to settler violence and access restrictions, as well as demolitions.

From Jan. 20 to last Monday, OCHA said it documented more than 50 Israeli settler attacks that resulted in casualties, property damage or both.

The office said it is carrying out preliminary assessments of damage and needs following these incidents. ■