War in Israel/Palestine: HEKS/EPER prepares emergency aid for civilians
The conflict in the Middle East has reached a largely unprecedented level of violence in the past two weeks. HEKS/EPER is committed to protecting the civilian population and is preparing to bring humanitarian assistance to suffering civilians as rapidly as possible.
The brutal attacks of Hamas and other armed groups on Israel and civilians in Israel have led to an unprecedented escalation of violence in Israel/Palestine. So far, the toll on both sides has been more than 4000 people killed, and almost 20’000 injured, some severely. Besides – if we add up those affected on both sides – there are about one million internally displaced persons who have had to flee to the south of the Gaza Strip or who have been evacuated inside Israel owing to the latest escalation of violence. Moreover, rocket attacks on Israel, mainly by Hamas, and Israeli bombing of the Gaza Strip have destroyed or badly damaged more than 7500 buildings, as well as critical infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. There is also a risk of diseases and epidemics stemming from the complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, non-existent or extremely limited access to clean water and electricity, and from the fact that medical capabilities are almost completely exhausted. If the hostilities continue, the number of casualties is expected to multiply, especially among civilians on both sides.
Keystone
