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Gunfire hit tents at displacement site in northern Rafah
It reportedly caused injuries and forced a humanitarian partner to leave the area, the UN aid coordination office (OCHA) said, according to UN News.
Gunfire hit and damaged multiple tents at a displacement site in northern Rafah, in the south of the Gaza Strip, on Tuesday. UN News
OCHA gave the detail in its Wednesday update. The aid group had been working on flood control ahead of the rainy season. The update did not say who fired, how many people were hurt, or whether the group has gone back to the site. The injuries are described only as reported.
On the same day, small arms fire was reported near a UN-contracted facility in Deir al Balah and close to a UN-organized convoy in Rafah. No injuries to UN staff or damage were reported. These incidents came amid continued reports of strikes hitting populated areas and causing civilian casualties across the Gaza Strip.
Stephane Dujarric, the Secretary-General's Spokesperson, spoke to journalists about the incidents. "Civilians, including humanitarian workers, must always be protected, and civilian objects, including humanitarian facilities and vehicles, must always be spared," he said.
Relief work continues
OCHA also described aid work carried out despite the insecurity. In the last week of October, the UN and its partners supported more than 70 households who had lost their shelters and other belongings. The causes ranged from airstrikes to domestic fires.
During the same week, child protection partners reached nearly 4,500 boys and girls and more than 2,000 caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support. Among the children, they identified almost 200 who need individually tailored support. Of those, 20 are unaccompanied or separated from their families and 17 are injured. Follow-up support continues for more than 2,000 children identified earlier as needing such help.
Partners also provided vouchers to buy autumn clothes for more than 1,000 children without parental care. The figures are those OCHA reported for that week.
The Rafah report leaves the flood-control work unfinished at the site. OCHA's update gives no timeline for when the partner might resume it.