A June 26 statement from the United Nations Humanitarian Office documents the outbreak of 19,000 cases of preventable diseases in Gaza in just the last two weeks. The OCHA report states, “These outbreaks are directly linked to the lack of clean water and sanitation in Gaza, underscoring the urgent need for fuel, medical supplies, and water, sanitation and hygiene items to prevent further collapse of the public health system.”
On June 22, the top official for the United Nations in the Palestinian Territories, Jonathan Whittall, spoke about Gaza to reporters: “The attempt to survive is being met with a death sentence. Our warehouses stand empty. Displaced families flee with nothing—and we have nothing to give them.” Whittall described the situation as “weaponized hunger,” and “forced displacement.” Whittall said, “It appears to be the erasure of Palestinian life from Gaza.”
