OPT: Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report 01 Jan 2009 14:30

Excerpts from Secretar y Genera l Ban Ki Moon 's statement to the Security Council (31 December 2009)

"... conditions for 1.5 million people in Gaza today are nothing short of terrifying. The people of Gaza are living under heavy bombardment, which has targeted Hamas facilities, smuggling tunnels and other Hamas infrastructure as well as the former Palestinian Authority security structure, government buildings, residential homes, mosques and businesses."

"Schools have closed and daily life in southern Israel is extremely difficult as Israelis live in constant fear of rockets which have hit homes and schools. "

"I condemn unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms the ongoing rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian militants. But I also condemn the excessive use of force by Israel. All parties must fully uphold international humanitarian law."

"It is the civilian populations that are bearing the brunt of this escalation, and there must be swift and decisive action by the international community to bring to an end their suffering."

Violence

- Air strikes by the Israeli Air Force (IAF) continued with a frequency reaching one air strike approximately every 20 minutes. From yesterday evening until this morning, approximately 41 air and artillery strikes were reported. The targets included several homes of Hamas activists, governmental buildings and ministries, metal workshops and tunnels along the border with Egypt. - The entire civilian population in the Gaza Strip remains vulnerable. There are no public warning systems or shelters. Homes are located next to potential targets.

- UNWRA reports that from yesterday evening until this afternoon, approximately 19 people were killed and 38 injured. The total number of fatalities since the beginning of the attacks on Gaza on Saturday, remains uncertain, with estimates ranging from 315 (Al Mezan human rights group, 31 December) to 395 (various media sources).

- From yesterday evening until this morning, Palestinian militants fired more than 15 mortar shells and 29 homemade and Grad-type rockets towards Israeli targets, resulting in no reported casualties. The number of Israelis killed as a result of rocket fire stands at four. IDF tanks and armored vehicles continue to amass near the Gaza border, awaiting a decision on a land invasion.

Psychosocial Impact on Gaza Civilians

There is a sense of panic, fear and distress throughout the Gaza Strip. Civilians have implemented a selfimposed curfew and face insecurity in re-stocking basic food items, water and cooking gas. The lines in front of bakeries and supermarkets are extremely long. In Jabalia, for example, the queue in front of the only open bakery, reached up to 300 meters, according to eyewitnesses. People were standing under the heavy rain, in the hope of getting at least some bread. Supplies are running low. Most families are holed up in one to two rooms that are considered the safest in the home, without electricity for 16 hours a day and barely running water. Children have no outlets. Families are moving to shelters or safer places at night to sleep.