Situation Report on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip No.11 (OCHA)

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Situation Report on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip No.11
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

Jan 15, 2009

The following information is based on reports from member states, the UN Country Team for the occupied Palestinian territory, humanitarian partners and authorities involved in the humanitarian response.

1. General Overview

1. On 15 January, heavy shelling and air strikes led to an increased number of casualties. Residential areas, the UNRWA compound, three hospitals, a school and municipal buildings were hit. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) ground operation also advanced deeper into Gaza City (which has a population of 500,000 people), causing a large number of people to flee their homes in search of safety.

2. As at 1500 hrs (1300 hrs GMT) at least 15 rockets had been fired into Israel from Gaza on 15 January. There were no reports of injuries.

3. At 1000 hrs (0800 hrs GMT) on 15 January, the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) Gaza Training Centre, which is part of UNRWA's main compound in Gaza City, was hit by artillery shells. Shortly afterwards, the UNRWA Field Office, located in the same compound, was hit three times. These hits resulted in a high-intensity fire affecting UNRWA's workshop and warehouses, and destroying most of the Gaza Training Centre and part of the Field Office. UNRWA's fuel stocks in the compound were also burned as a result of the fire. Three people, at least one of whom was a staff member, were injured by shrapnel. Seven hundred Palestinians who had sought shelter in the compound were being evacuated to a nearby emergency shelter. UNRWA has suspended some of its operations in Gaza due to the incident.

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