The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has made a fund appeal for $60 million to respond to the immediate shelter, food, health needs of affected Palestinian families in Gaza.

“UNRWA urgently seeks $60 million to prepare for carrying out vital interventions that will be required immediately upon cessation of military activities,” the UNRWA said Thursday.

This appeal anticipated a one-month emergency response phase, and a three-to-six-month early recovery phase.

According to the UNRWA, more than 22,000 civilians have sought refuge in 24 designated emergency shelters (DES’s) in Gaza City and in Northern Gaza.

Based on previous experience, it is expected that this number will grow to 50,000 individuals.

On Wednesday, the highest number of child fatalities in a 24-hour period in the Gaza Strip was marked with 23 deaths.

The latest statistics from the UN agency showed that there were more evacuations from the north and northeastern Gaza, and a total of more than 22,000 people were now sheltering in 24 UNRWA installations.

The death toll in Gaza climbed to 234 people Thursday since Israel started the Operation Protective Edge July 8 in a bid to end rocket fire by the Islamist Hamas movement.