As Israel bombs Gaza, bakeries run out of bread, water is also scarce

(Patria) - As relentless Israeli bombing intensified on Saturday, bakeries in Gaza were running out of bread, drinking water was scarce, and power outages left families without charged phones to find out if relatives fleeing were safe, Reuters reported.

A column of people who arrived in southern Gaza after Israel told them to leave the northern area on Friday stretched resources that were already strained to the limit.

The United Nations has called on Israel to "avoid a humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, a territory of 2.3 million people trapped between Israel, Egypt and the Mediterranean Sea.

In its response to the devastating attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas on October 7 from Gaza, Israel imposed a "complete blockade," cutting off food supplies and cutting off electricity to Gaza. A week after it began, stores are running out of many items.

"I was looking for basic food, eggs, rice, canned food, even milk for the children, and I couldn't find them," said a resident of Khan Younis. "This is how Israel is fighting us, by starving our children. Either they kill children with bombs, or soon with hunger," she added.

Israel said it told people to leave the north for their own safety and to ensure they were not caught in the conflict. Those who fled say that many roads and streets are often difficult to use, and some are impassable due to damage.

Gaza authorities said 70 people were killed and 200 injured when Israel hit cars and trucks carrying people fleeing the north. In total, 2,200 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,300 Israelis were killed earlier in the Hamas attack.

With no possibility of crossing the border with Egypt, an increasing portion of Gaza's population is crowding into the south seeking shelter, while Israel amasses troops and tanks on the border. Israel has already launched attacks.

"We must transport fuel to Gaza now. Fuel is the only way for people to have safe drinking water. If not, people will start dying of severe dehydration, including young children, the elderly and women," said Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the UN refugee agency UNRWA. "Water is now the last remaining lifeline. I appeal for the siege of humanitarian aid to be lifted now," he added.

Gaza authorities reported that 10,000 people have been injured so far in the bombing. Hospitals are under pressure. Gaza Ministry of Health spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra said hospitals are running out of medical supplies and fuel to continue.

More than 1,695 buildings and skyscrapers have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes, along with 7,000 housing units, according to the media office of the Hamas government.