TEHRAN, Nov. 11 (MNA) – UN humanitarians have voiced extreme concern over the escalating violence and tensions in the West Bank as well as the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Xinhua reported citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Friday that the number of Palestinians reported killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7 accounts for 42 percent of all Palestinian fatalities in the territory in 2023.

On Thursday, 18 Palestinians, including one child, were killed by Zionist forces. The deadliest incident of the day, which lasted for 12 hours, took place in Jenin Refugee Camp, with 13 fatalities. The operation involved armed clashes and airstrikes, resulting in extensive infrastructure damage in the camp, said OCHA.

Since Oct. 7, 167 Palestinians, including 45 children, have been killed by Zionist forces. Eight others, including one child, were killed by Zionist settlers.

Intense fighting continues in Gaza, with hospitals or their immediate vicinities reportedly hit. In addition to damage, health facilities continue to be impacted by the lack of fuel, with some being forced to close surgical wards and oxygen generation plants, it said.

OCHA warned that the food situation in northern Gaza is deteriorating, with partners unable to deliver assistance over the past eight days. As of Thursday, no bakeries were active due to a lack of fuel, water, and wheat flour, as well as damage sustained by many.

In the south, access to bread is also challenging, as the only operative mill cannot run due to a lack of electricity and fuel. People are lining up for hours in front of bakeries, where they are exposed to airstrikes, said OCHA.

Some essential food items, such as rice and vegetable oil, are nearly depleted in the market. Other items, including wheat flour, dairy products, eggs, and mineral water, have disappeared from the shelves in shops across Gaza in the past two days, it said.

AMK/PR