The United Nations is welcoming Israel’s announcement of a “tactical pause” in fighting on some roads in Gaza, and is hopeful this will lead to Israeli authorities lifting all obstacle to aid deliveries for all of the territory.
Quick Read
- The United Nations welcomes Israel’s announcement of a “tactical pause” in fighting on some roads in Gaza, hoping it leads to lifting all obstacles to aid deliveries.
- U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq emphasized that humanitarian operations in Gaza must be fully facilitated and all impediments lifted.
- The Israeli military announced a “tactical pause” in daytime fighting along roads from Kerem Shalom to a north-south highway in Gaza.
- COGAT spokesman Shimon Freedman said the U.N. has yet to “take full advantage of the new route.”
- Haq expressed readiness to engage with all parties to ensure critical aid reaches those in need across Gaza, where hunger is widespread.
- Haq called for further measures by Israel to address issues preventing a meaningful humanitarian response in Gaza.
- Displaced Palestinians in Gaza urgently need food, water, sanitation, shelter, and healthcare, with many living near health-risk areas.
- Israel needs to ensure expedited movement of aid convoys, operational roads, regular fuel supply, and necessary logistical materials.
- Haq stressed the importance of addressing the rule of law immediately to prevent a breakdown in law and order.
- U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths described Gaza as “hell on earth” with famine looming, obstructed humanitarian aid, and increasing hunger and disease.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN welcomes Israeli ‘tactical pause’ for aid deliveries in Gaza
Newslooks- UNITED NATIONS — (AP)
The United Nations is welcoming Israel’s announcement of a “tactical pause” in fighting on some roads in Gaza, and is hopeful this will lead to Israeli authorities lifting all obstacle to aid deliveries for all of the territory.
“As we have reiterated, humanitarian operations in Gaza must be fully facilitated, and all impediments must be lifted,” U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told The Associated Press on Monday. “We need to be able to deliver aid safely throughout Gaza.”
The Israeli military on Sunday announced a “tactical pause” in daytime fighting along roads leading from Kerem Shalom, a main goods crossing with southern Israel, to a north-south highway in Gaza. Shimon Freedman, a spokesman for COGAT, an Israeli defense body that overseas aid distribution in Gaza, said Monday the U.N. has yet to “take full advantage of the new route.”
In welcoming the announcement, Haq said, “The U.N. and its humanitarian partners are ready to engage with all parties to ensure critical, lifesaving assistance reaches those in need across Gaza, where catastrophic hunger is widespread.”
“We hope this leads to further concrete measures by Israel to address longstanding issues preventing a meaningful humanitarian response in Gaza,” he said.
With the war between Israel and Hamas in its ninth month, Haq said, displaced Palestinians in Gaza urgently need food, water, sanitation, shelter and healthcare, “with many living near piles of solid waste, heightening health risks.”
He said Israel needs to ensure that the movement of aid convoys and staff members through checkpoints is expedited, that all roads are operational, and that fuel — which is in critically short supply — enters Gaza regularly.
“It means providing the necessary communications equipment and logistical materials, which have long been denied by Israeli authorities,” Haq said.
“And most importantly, the rule of law must be addressed immediately,” he said. “Desperation and scarcity of aid have led to a near-total breakdown in law and order.”
Meanwhile, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said in an opinion piece in The New York Times that the impoverished and blockaded Gaza Strip has been turned into “hell on earth” as famine looms.
He said humanitarian aid is obstructed and politicized while hunger and disease spread, “and humanitarian workers, health care workers, and journalists have all endured unacceptable losses.”
