Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo
#Occupied Palestinian Territory
Bombardment of Gaza causes high numbers of civilian casualties
OCHA warns that hostilities across the Gaza Strip are taking a horrifying toll on civilians – depriving people of safety and the means for their survival. There have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians.
Since the intensification of hostilities in Gaza less than a month ago, more than 1,500 people have reportedly been killed, many of them women and children, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
Just yesterday in Gaza city, there were reports of dozens of people killed – including at least eight children – after an Israeli strike hit a residential building. Many are still missing under the rubble.
OCHA stresses that civilians must be protected under international law and should never be a target.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. Yesterday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to exit to seek specialized treatment abroad. However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the Strip, WHO calls for them to be able to do so through all available border crossings and corridors.
The ongoing hostilities and continued blocking of cargo entry into Gaza for almost six weeks now are hampering people’s access to life-saving aid.
As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting over the past few days. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, Deir al Balah and Al Zawaida.
Once again, OCHA reiterates the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter.
More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition, at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies.
Across Gaza, partners are also warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water – together with the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock – are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations.
Meanwhile, humanitarian partners have identified more than a dozen unaccompanied and separated children this week. They are doing everything possible to reunite these children with their families.
#Democratic Republic of the Congo
Tens of thousands flee insecurity in eastern DRC
OCHA reports that continuing violence in South Kivu and Ituri provinces continues to drive mass displacement in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, with civilians bearing the brunt of the insecurity.
In South Kivu, heavy fighting between armed groups persists in parts of Kalehe territory. On 9 April, clashes erupted in the town of Lumbishi, injuring at least three civilians. Local civil society groups estimate that up to 30,000 people have fled the area.
Since 6 April, violence across Kalehe territory has displaced thousands of people, although exact figures remain unverified. People urgently need healthcare, food security support, water, sanitation and hygiene services.
Humanitarian partners continue to deliver critical assistance in Kalehe territory where security permits. Yesterday, a partner working in health started a four-day mobile clinic visit in the Minova area, providing essential medical care.
In Ituri province, local sources report that on 8 April, armed groups attacked the Luchay and Bendele localities in Djugu territory, setting homes on fire, looting property and destroying infrastructure. Large numbers of people fled the area following the attacks, although exact figures remain unconfirmed.