UN warns that conditions in Gaza continue to remain dire

The United Nations secretary-general's deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, relayed in a briefing in New York on Thursday the ongoing dire conditions still facing Palestinians in Gaza. 

According to Haq, the Israeli military continues to destroy residential buildings in areas where they are deployed in Gaza on a daily basis and continues to launch attacks on residents in areas that are near the yellow line. 

He also stated that the Israeli authorities rejected 107 requests for the entry of relief materials, including blankets, winter clothing, tools, and materials to maintain and operate water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Almost 90 percent of these rejected requests were from more than 330 local and international NGOs.