The United Nations (UN) on Thursday warned that the Gaza Strip is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

This was voiced during a press conference held by the spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Stéphane Dujarric at the UN headquarters in New York.

Dujarric said, “According to our latest humanitarian report, the Gaza Strip continues to face an unprecedented humanitarian crisis as its health system struggles to cope with a high number of injuries following months-long demonstrations along the fence.  In 2018, 180 Palestinians were killed and more than 23,300 were injured.”

“Along with medical supply shortages, the health system is facing severe energy concerns, with disruption of the provisions of health services at some hospitals and clinics. At the end of December 2018, 42% of essential drugs were at zero stock level, meaning up to a month’s worth of supplies,” he added.

According to Dujarric, the humanitarian coordinator in the occupied Palestinian territories, Jamie McGoldrick, has welcomed Qatar’s contribution of some $20 million for cash-for-work programs in Gaza.

McGoldrick called for continuous support for the people of Gaza where a further $148 million will be required for cash-for-work activities in 2019.

The Gaza Strip has been subjected to a land, sea, and air blockade imposed by the Israeli occupation since 2006. The Palestinian Authority in April 2017 waged a series of collective punishment measures on the Gaza Strip exacerbating the crisis in the besieged enclave.