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UN Agencies Urge Immediate Action for Gaza Amidst Humanitarian Crisis
The ongoing blockade of Gaza by Israel has prevented the entry of essential goods for over a month, prompting six United Nations agencies to call on global leaders for urgent intervention. The joint statement highlights the dire situation, indicating that Palestinians are facing severe hardships, becoming “trapped, bombed, and starved,” while vital supplies continue to accumulate at border crossings.
Since March 2, Israel has barred the influx of humanitarian supplies following the expiration of an initial ceasefire, insisting on Hamas’s agreement to a truce extension, a demand that Hamas claims Israel has failed to uphold. Contrary to Israel’s assertion that Gaza has ample food supplies, the UN agencies stress that the situation is critical, with stocks dwindling rapidly.
“The recent ceasefire allowed us to achieve in 60 days what the prolonged conflict obstructed in 470 days: delivery of life-saving supplies across nearly all of Gaza,” noted the statement. However, it clarified that any claims regarding sufficient food resources are far removed from the actual conditions faced by residents, where essential commodities are in short supply.
The signatories of the statement include the heads of several UN agencies, such as the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF, UNOPS, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organization (WHO). They voiced collective concern over the blockade’s effects, emphasizing that all UN-supported bakeries have ceased operations, markets lack most fresh produce, and hospitals are facing critical shortages of medical supplies including painkillers and antibiotics.
The health system in Gaza remains in a precarious state, with a lack of essential medical supplies exacerbating an already overwhelming situation. The agencies called on world leaders to take immediate and decisive action to uphold international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.
Under these laws, Israel is obligated to meet the basic needs of the civilian population and allow unhindered passage of humanitarian assistance. The previous two-month pause in hostilities saw a significant inflow of aid to Gaza and the release of 33 hostages by Hamas in exchange for approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners.
However, on March 18, Israel resumed its aerial bombardments and ground operations in Gaza, further intensifying the humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that at least five children and four adults have lost their lives due to recent Israeli strikes in the region, including a tragic incident in the central town of Deir al-Balah involving multiple fatalities.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, the toll over the last 24 hours alone has surpassed 58 casualties, with significant losses reported in various towns. Additionally, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate disclosed that two journalists have succumbed to their injuries following Israeli attacks, highlighting the dangers faced by media professionals in the conflict zone.
This ongoing conflict was ignited by Hamas’s major offensive against Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and more than 250 individuals taken hostage. Since the onset of the current Israeli military campaign, Gaza’s health ministry reports that over 50,810 Palestinians have been killed, reflecting the profound human cost of the escalation.
Continued International Response Needed
The dire plea from UN agencies adds urgency to the international community’s response, as the need for humanitarian intervention grows increasingly pressing. As hostilities continue, the call for protection of civilians and support for humanitarian efforts remains paramount to alleviating the suffering in Gaza.
Source
www.bbc.com