UNICEF Stands by Gaza Death Toll Amidst Devastating Crisis
UNICEF stands by Gaza death toll accuracy amid unfolding horror, as Palestinians flee to safety Reports of amputations without anesthesia and an aid convoy being attacked add to the dire situation
The UNICEF spokesperson has justified the reported death toll in Gaza, stating that the organization's figures align with those of the Hamas-controlled Gazan health ministry. This comes as numerous Palestinians were relocated to the southern part of the territory on Tuesday. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, citing sources from Hamas-controlled Gaza, has reported that over 10,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women, children, and elderly individuals, have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in the past month.
Following its brutal October 7 attack, in which it killed 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped around 240 others, Israel declared war on the Islamist militant group Hamas. Israel's offensive on Gaza has resulted in the destruction of neighborhoods and the bombing of numerous targets that it claims are associated with Hamas, including refugee camps. As a result of warnings from the Israel Defense Forces, many people have chosen to flee to the southern part of the strip. While the health ministry's death toll cannot be independently verified by CNN, UNICEF spokesperson James Elder stated on Tuesday that the organization's estimates closely align with the ministry's, stating that their figures were nearly identical, differing only by a few percentage points.
"At UNICEF we are very, very precise with our numbers. We have the reputation, not just because we are on the frontlines and we deliver, but we have evidence," he said.
US President Joe Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
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The White House has issued a warning to Israel regarding its post-war strategies for Gaza. The spokesperson emphasized that UNICEF maintains strict reporting protocols and employs a comprehensive triangular verification method to scrutinize intelligence, prioritizing thorough analysis over quick assessments.
"I am familiar with the individuals, both boys and girls, and their parents behind the statistics. This is why, in the case of UNICEF, we feel a deep sense of anger and frustration that the numbers of casualties continue to rise and we are unable to achieve a humanitarian ceasefire," he expressed. He further emphasized that there are parents who will now wake up every day filled with sorrow.
The accuracy of the figures reported from Gaza has been met with doubt by some, including US President Joe Biden who stated last month that he had no belief in the reported number of civilian casualties. Following this, a spokesperson from the White House referred to the ministry as a front for Hamas, though they did not challenge the fact that thousands of innocent Palestinian lives have been lost.
Following Biden's remarks, the Gazan health ministry released a comprehensive 212-page report documenting the fatalities in Gaza throughout the duration of the war, holding Israel responsible. Notably, the report does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.
During a designated four-hour period granted by the Israeli military, numerous Palestinians from northern Gaza took the opportunity to evacuate. Videos depict children, women, and the elderly walking along the highway, clutching their identification cards and waving white flags as symbols of their desire for a secure journey.
The UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said some 5,000 people fled to southern Gaza by foot during another four-hour window on Monday.
Amputations without anesthesia
Calls for a ceasefire have intensified globally as more information emerges about the distress unfolding in the isolated strip, which is almost completely disconnected from the rest of the world.
According to a spokesperson from the World Health Organization, on Tuesday, several doctors in Gaza were reported to have conducted surgeries, including amputations, without any anesthesia.
"According to WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier, the suffering of civilians in Gaza is unjustifiable." During a press briefing, he emphasized the UN's plea for "unrestricted, safe, and protected access" to deliver aid via around 500 trucks per day, not only at the border but also directly to patients in hospitals.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres reported that in the last two weeks, over 400 trucks have entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing, compared to the previous daily average of 500 trucks.
Emily Callahan, a nurse activity manager for the non-profit organization Doctors Without Borders, witnessed the firsthand devastation in Gaza last week. She expressed her concern about the children who had suffered severe burns on their faces, necks, and limbs. The hospitals, overwhelmed with patients, were discharging them immediately. Unfortunately, these discharged patients were being sent to camps that lacked access to running water. They were only provided with two hours of water every 12 hours.
Aid convoy attacked
She witnessed children with severe wounds and "partial amputations" roaming around. Their parents approached her and the other aid workers seeking assistance, while she expressed her helplessness due to insufficient supplies.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) reported that even humanitarian aid faces challenges when trying to navigate the bombed streets of Gaza. On Tuesday, the organization experienced an incident where its humanitarian convoy was fired upon while delivering crucial medical supplies to health facilities in Gaza City.
Comprised of five trucks and two Red Cross vehicles, the convoy suffered damage to two trucks, and one driver sustained minor injuries, revealed the ICRC.
"This is not an environment conducive for humanitarian personnel to carry out their work," emphasized William Schomburg, the ICRC delegation head in Gaza, in a statement. "Our primary goal is to provide timely assistance to civilians facing urgent needs. The international humanitarian law mandates that we ensure essential aid reaches medical facilities."
Palestinians wounded in an explosion at al-Ahli hospital in Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, are seen sitting in al-Shifa hospital. The incident occurred on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. The Health Ministry, which is run by Hamas, claims that the explosion was caused by an Israeli airstrike and resulted in the deaths of hundreds. However, the Israeli military contends that it was a misfired Palestinian rocket. (Photo credit: Abed Khaled/AP)
The following charts illustrate the extent of the casualties in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Following the incident, Guterres expressed his horror at the alleged attack on a convoy of ambulances near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
Israel accuses Hamas of misusing ambulances, hospitals, and other civilian infrastructure for military operations, such as transporting fighters and weapons. They state that they will target any place where they observe Hamas activity, considering them a threat. Despite Guterres reaffirming his condemnation of Hamas attacks and urging for the prompt release of hostages in Gaza, he emphasizes the crucial need for a ceasefire. These remarks have previously provoked criticism from Israeli leaders, who have demanded his resignation as the UN chief.
Guterres stated in the statement that civilians in Gaza, including children and women, have been under siege, deprived of aid, subjected to deaths, and forcibly displaced from their residences for almost a month. Guterres demanded an immediate cessation of these actions.
