GAZA
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the intensifying offensive in Deir al Balah, in central Gaza, and Khan Younis, in the south, is driving up civilian casualties and having devastating consequences for tens of thousands of people, many of whom had fled to Deir al Balah for safety from Gaza city and the north.
As a result of increased attacks – including one that directly hit an UNRWA warehouse on Thursday, killing a UN staff member – humanitarian operations in Deir al Balah have been severely curtailed. Warehouses, distribution and health centres and shelters fall within areas that have been newly issued with evacuation orders. Several bakeries that were supported by the UN and its partners have been forced to shut down operations in Deir al Balah as a result of the fighting.
As casualties rise, the ability to treat people is in jeopardy, with three hospitals in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis at risk of closure due to the issuance of evacuation orders in nearby areas and fighting approaching the hospitals.
Yesterday, staff from the World Health Organization and OCHA visited the Al Aqsa Hospital, the only functioning hospital in Deir al Balah. According to the hospital director, because of increasing hostilities and ongoing evacuation orders, most of the local health workers and about 600 patients have been forced to leave the facility to unknown locations.
The WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, wrote that his staff witnessed “sickening scenes of people of all ages being treated on blood-streaked floors and in chaotic corridors.”
The hospital reported immense needs, notably health workers, medical supplies, beds, and the need to be protected from strikes and hostilities. Dr. Tedros said that Al Aqsa is the most important hospital remaining in Deir al Balah and must remain functional, and protected, to deliver its lifesaving services.
By the end of 2023, according to UNRWA, 1.9 million people, or nearly 85 per cent of the total population of Gaza, were estimated to be internally displaced, including many who have been displaced multiple times, as families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety. Nearly 1.4 million internally displaced people are sheltering in 155 UNRWA facilities, which are far exceeding their intended capacity.
UNICEF announced over the weekend that a survey conducted on December 26th found that about 90 per cent of Gazan children under the age of two consume two or fewer food groups. Most children are reportedly only eating grains or milk.

SIGRID KAAG
Ms. Sigrid Kaag started her assignment today as Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2720 (2023).
In her new capacity she will facilitate, coordinate, monitor, and verify humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza.  
Ms. Kaag has also received the mandate to establish a United Nations mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief consignments to Gaza through States which are not party to the conflict.
She is in New York and she will be meeting with the Secretary-General, then she will go to Washington D.C. this week for meetings before traveling to the region.