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The UN human rights office in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OHCHR)\u00a0says\u00a0Israeli military tactics in Gaza City \u2013 including strikes on homes and schools \u2013 are \u201cinflicting terror<\/strong>\u201d and forcing people to flee.<\/p>\n In parallel, UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA,\u00a0reports\u00a0more than 20,000 people were forced to moved southwards in a single day this week, raising the total who\u2019ve left Gaza\u2019s biggest city of over one million since mid-August to more than 320,000.<\/p>\n Health services are also collapsing. A key clinic run by the Palestinian Medical Relief Society was destroyed, injuring staff and cutting off trauma, cancer and mental health care for hundreds of patients.<\/p>\n News reports on Wednesday cite doctors at the large al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City who say they are overwhelmed by casualties from Israeli strikes and shelling, forced to operate in unsanitary conditions.<\/p>\n And the UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA,\u00a0said in an update on Tuesday that famine conditions have taken hold across Gaza, with more than half a million people starving and 390 deaths confirmed, including 140 children<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Women and girls are particularly at risk, facing unsafe childbirth and rising gender-based violence as essential services disappear. UNFPA is appealing for urgent funding to keep maternity and protection programmes running.<\/p>\n The UN relief agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, tweeted that there had been yet another heavy night of bombardment in Gaza \u201cwith too many children reported killed or injured. Gaza is now home to the highest number of child amputees per capital worldwide<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n OHCHR spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan issued a statement on Wednesday describing attacks and threats against a flotilla of activists attempting to deliver aid to Gaza \u201cdefy belief\u201d.<\/p>\n He was speaking following reported drone attacks Wednesday on the convoy known as the Global Sumud Flotilla, a group protesting Israel\u2019s siege of Gaza, which has been heavily criticised by the Israeli Government.<\/p>\n According to news reports, the flotilla\u2019s communications have been jammed with explosions heard from some boats.<\/p>\n \u201cThere must be an independent,\u00a0impartial and thorough investigation into the reported attacks and harassment by drones and other objects against the Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla,\u201d said Mr. Al-Kheetan.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch attacks must stop, and those responsible for violations must be held to account.\u201d<\/p>\n OHCHR said that as the occupying power, Israel has an obligation to ensure food and medical supplies reach civilians \u201cto the fullest extent of the means available, or to agree to and facilitate impartial humanitarian relief schemes, delivered rapidly and without hindrance.\u201d<\/p>\n UN human rights chief Volker T\u00fcrk called on Israel to urgently lift the blockade and allow lifesaving aid in by the fast means possible.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHealth services collapse continues<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Attacks on Gaza-bound flotilla, \u2018defy belief\u2019<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Inquiry call<\/strong><\/h2>\n