Geneva - Ma'an - Louise Waterridge, a UN official at the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said that death seems to be "the only certainty" for the 2.4 million residents of the Gaza Strip, in light of the ongoing Israeli bombardment. Waterridge described the situation in the Strip as "absolutely heartbreaking," stressing that there is no safe place in Gaza, and that life there has turned into an inevitable waiting for death. The UN official pointed out that the health situation in Gaza faces unprecedented challenges, especially in light of the Israeli blockade that hinders access to medical supplies and medicines. The Ministry of Health in Gaza announced the registration of the first case of polio in 25 years, in light of the Strip's suffering from a severe shortage of vaccines and health services. She also explained that the situation in schools, where many displaced people have taken refuge, remains dangerous, as they have become an increasing target for Israeli bomb ing, as the Israeli army said that the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) is using schools as command centers, while the movement strongly denies these accusations. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the fuel shortage was threatening to stop hospitals from performing essential surgeries and putting ambulances at risk, especially in northern Gaza. Source: Maan News Agency