UN says 208 dead, 1500 injured so far in Israel-Gaza violence

United Nations: Despite intensifying diplomatic efforts to ease seven days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza strip, at least 208 people have been killed and some 1,500 others are said to have been injured, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health's report on Monday, 198 people have been killed including 58 children, and 1,300 injured in the ongoing airstrikes and rocket shellings.

Meanwhile, Israel reported 10 fatalities and hundreds more injured by Palestinian rocket attacks launched from Gaza.

The impact of the attack on Palestinians is alarmingly severe as the OCHA said more than 42,000 displaced people are seeking protection in 50 schools across Gaza operated by the UN agency for Palestinian refugees known as UNRWA

Citing the Gaza Ministry of Public Works and Housing, OCHA reported that 94 buildings destroyed and 285 housing units severely damaged and rendered uninhabitable.

The humanitarian partner Shelter Cluster also reported 2,500 people to be homeless.

The World Organisation reported that among the damaged structures include 41 education facilities, schools, kindergartens, a UNRWA vocational training centre, the Ministry of Education directorate and a higher education facility.

In addition to this, reports reveal that four Ministry of Health hospitals, two non-governmental hospitals, two clinics, a health centre and a Palestine Red Crescent Society also were damaged.

The OCHA pointed out that the electricity across Gaza is down to six to eight hours a day, on average, with some feeder lines not functioning and thereby hindering the provision of health care and other essential services, including water, hygiene and sanitation.

The demand for food and cash support is also said to have been increasing.

Currently, the UN and humanitarian partners are providing food and other essential items to displaced families in Gaza along with immediate cash assistance to more than 52,000 people.

The psychosocial counselling sessions for the traumatized victims, awareness about the heightened risk of explosive remnants of war and assess property damage are also being provided by the UN and other humanitarian partners.