Russian Ambassador to UN: A Catastrophe of Biblical Proportions is Unfolding in Gaza

(Patria) - A humanitarian catastrophe of biblical proportions is unfolding in the Gaza Strip, said Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vasily Nebenzya at a UN Security Council session, TASS agency reported.

"It is time to call things by their proper names: a humanitarian catastrophe of biblical proportions is unfolding in the occupied Palestinian territory, on the West Bank of the Jordan River and in the Gaza Strip," he said.

"According to the information received, the death toll in the enclave has exceeded 8,000 people, half of whom are women and children," he pointed out. More than 2,000 people remain under the rubble, more than 21,000 have been injured, while there are 1.6 million internally displaced persons, he stated. In addition, Nebenzya pointed to significant losses among UN personnel in the conflict zone.

"These terrible figures are increasing hour by hour. We thank all the humanitarian workers on the ground who are working to the best of their ability in conditions of a catastrophic shortage of basic necessities, including medical supplies, as well as at high risk to their lives," said the Russian diplomat.