UN Women Chief Urges Gaza Cease-Fire Amidst Plight of Palestinian Women
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - UN Women Executive Director Sima Bahous has urged for a cease-fire in Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian relief as women in the region face dire circumstances.
"Women in Gaza are giving birth without water. They lack food, shelter, and sanitation facilities. They are enduring unimaginable hardships," Bahous stated, adding, "What women in Gaza urgently require is a cessation of hostilities and humanitarian relief."
Since October 7, 2023, more than 9,000 women have lost their lives, and over 23,000 women have been injured in the ongoing Israeli army attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The status of more than 2,000 missing women in Gaza remains unknown.
Moreover, Gaza's healthcare system has collapsed due to Israeli attacks, leaving approximately 60,000 pregnant women unable to access healthcare services, endangering the lives of Palestinian women and their babies.
Israel has launched a deadly military campaign in the Palestinian territory since October 7 and imposed a devastating blockade that has left a majority of the population, especially those in northern Gaza, on the brink of starvation.
Over 32,200 Palestinians have been killed and more than 74,500 injured in the Israeli offensive, resulting in widespread destruction and shortages of essential supplies.
The Israeli war has forced 85% of Gaza's population into internal displacement, amidst severe shortages of food, clean water, and medicine. Additionally, 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.
Israel faces accusations of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling issued in January instructed Tel Aviv to cease genocidal acts and ensure the provision of humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza.
