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In a recent press briefing, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted the ongoing humanitarian crisis as the Kerem Shalom, Zikim, and Erez border crossings remained closed for cargo for three consecutive days. This prolonged closure has significantly hampered the delivery of critical humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip, a region already facing acute distress.
Dujarric emphasized the UN’s attempts to facilitate the passage of humanitarian aid that had crossed into the territory prior to the closures. However, he stated that Israeli authorities have rebuffed these efforts, referencing information from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). He warned that the continued closure of these crossings poses dire consequences for the already vulnerable population in Gaza, urging member states and influential parties to exert their efforts to maintain a ceasefire.
Calls for Uninterrupted Humanitarian Access
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), echoed the urgent need for Israel to resume humanitarian aid, stating that it should not be weaponized in ongoing conflicts. He remarked, “The humanitarian relief that has been provided over the last six weeks during the ceasefire has been pivotal for the suffering population.” Lazzarini took to social media to underscore that the majority of Gazans depend on aid for basic survival, and essential services such as water, medical care, and electricity are no longer negotiable aspects of humanitarian support.
Relief Operations Under Strain
Despite the challenging conditions, UN agencies and their partners have managed to continue aid operations throughout the Gaza Strip. Dujarric mentioned that the dialysis unit at Al Rantisi Children’s Hospital in Gaza City resumed its services, and a pediatric unit was reinstated at the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza. Furthermore, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported the evacuation of 29 child patients and 43 accompanying caregivers from Gaza to Jordan for specialized medical care, marking the first such evacuation supported by WHO since the ceasefire commenced.
Additionally, within Gaza, the WHO has distributed hygiene and sanitation supplies to thousands of women and girls, raising alarms over the potential exacerbation of mental health issues due to inadequate access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
Increasing Tensions in the West Bank
The situation has also deteriorated in the West Bank, with recent Israeli military operations in Jenin intensifying, leading to further displacement and damage to infrastructure. Dujarric reported that Israeli forces have mandated the evacuation of certain areas in Jenin city, resulting in the displacement of approximately 30 families, some of whom had previously been displaced.
During these operations, Israeli forces employed bulldozers, exacerbating infrastructure damage and triggering power outages. Observers reported heightened restrictions on movement to and from the city, compounding the challenges faced by the local population.
Source
news.un.org