UN says over 230,000 women and girls in Gaza lack health access

The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating health and safety conditions for women and girls in Gaza, despite an ongoing ceasefire. According to UN agencies, over 230,000 women and girls, including approximately 15,000 pregnant women, are currently facing extreme difficulties in accessing essential reproductive health services due to the lingering effects of military operations and widespread destruction.

Heightened Risks and Damaged Infrastructure

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, citing the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), stated that the destruction of health facilities, safe spaces, and clinics, combined with mass displacement and flooding, has "sharply limited access to psychosocial support and medical care." The agency warned of "increased risk of gender-based violence, child marriage, and exploitation of women and girls" in the current chaotic and vulnerable environment.

Limited Humanitarian Reach and Ongoing Suffering

While UN humanitarian partners have managed to distribute tents, blankets, warm clothes, and other basic supplies to thousands of households since Sunday, capacity and funding constraints severely limit the response. Dujarric noted that support currently reaches only about 40% of Gaza's 970 displacement sites. This insufficiency compounds the suffering stemming from a conflict that has resulted in massive casualties and the destruction of approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure.

Context of Continued Hardship Post-Ceasefire

The crisis persists even after the cessation of major hostilities. Since the ceasefire took effect, Israeli attacks have continued to cause Palestinian casualties, and severe restrictions remain on the entry of food, shelter materials, and medical supplies. The situation underscores the profound and gendered impact of the conflict, where women and children bear a disproportionate burden of the humanitarian catastrophe, with urgent needs far outstripping the available aid and recovery mechanisms.