Israel’s war in Gaza has driven some 80% of the population of 2.3 million from their homes. Most heeded Israeli orders to flee south and around 1.5 million are packed into Rafah near the border with Egypt. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostage. About a fourth of some 130 captives still being held are believed to be dead. Israel has laid waste to much of the Palestinian territory in response. Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed.
Quick Read
- Leaders from U.N. agencies and major humanitarian organizations are urging Israel to ensure the delivery of food and medicine to Gaza’s 2.3 million residents amidst ongoing conflict, emphasizing the need to avert further catastrophe.
- They call for adherence to international law by protecting civilians and infrastructure, advocating for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages from the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and secure, unimpeded humanitarian access.
- The organizations highlight the necessity of functional infrastructure for aid delivery, including clear roads, safe neighborhoods, stable communication, and sufficient funding, particularly for UNRWA, crucial for Gaza’s humanitarian response.
- The suspension of funding for UNRWA by over 16 countries, following Israel’s allegations against its staff, has been noted, with warnings that escalating violence, especially in Rafah, could lead to significant humanitarian consequences.
- The U.K. and Jordan have collaborated on an aid air-drop to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza, delivering essential supplies including medicine, fuel, and food, marking Britain’s involvement in aiding Gaza through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation.
- The ongoing conflict and challenges in aid delivery, including Israel’s security inspection processes, underscore the dire need for a humanitarian pause to facilitate aid and address the escalating crisis in Gaza.
The Associated Press has the story:
UN, Humanitarian leaders call on Israel to allow food, medicine into Gaza
Newslooks- UNITED NATIONS – (AP)
Leaders of major U.N. and humanitarian organizations are calling on Israel to provide food and medicine and facilitate aid deliveries to the 2.3 million Palestinians in conflict-wracked Gaza – and on world leaders “to prevent an even worse catastrophe from happening.”
A statement from the heads of 12 U.N. agencies, six major humanitarian organizations, and the U.N. special investigator on the human rights of displaced people says Israel must fulfil its obligations under international law to protect civilians and the infrastructure they rely on, including homes, hospitals and schools.
The leaders’ call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, the immediate release of hostages taken during Hamas’ surprise attack Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, and security and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.
To do their work, the statement says the U.N. agencies and aid organizations also need passable roads, neighborhoods cleared of explosive devices, stable communications, a halt to campaigns that seek to discredit their work, and funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, which they called “the backbone of the humanitarian operations in Gaza.”
More than 16 nations suspended funding for UNRWA after Israel alleged that 12 of its staffers participated in the Oct. 7 attacks.
The leaders of U.N. and aid organizations warned that further violence in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, where 1.3 million Palestinians have sought refuge, “would cause mass casualties” and “could also deal a death blow to a humanitarian response that is already on its knees.”
Israel’s prime minister says Rafah is a stronghold of Hamas and has vowed to move the offensive there.
JORDAN AND BRITAIN AIR-DROP AID TO HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN GAZA
LONDON — The U.K. says it and Jordan have air-dropped aid directly to a hospital in northern Gaza.
Britain’s Foreign Office says a Jordanian Air Force plane delivered a U.K.-funded aid shipment to the Tal Al-Hawa Hospital. It says the 4 metric ton shipment was equipped with GPS trackers and included medicine, fuel, and food for hospital patients and staff.
The Jordanian military said this was its 12th aid drop into Gaza during the war. Britain is working with the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation to procure and deliver 1 million pounds ($1.3 million) worth of U.K. aid to Gaza.
Foreign Secretary David Cameron said “thousands of patients will benefit and the fuel will enable this vital hospital to continue its life saving work.”
“However, the situation in Gaza is desperate and significantly more aid is needed — and fast,” he said. “We are calling for an immediate humanitarian pause to allow additional aid into Gaza as quickly as possible and bring hostages home.”
United Nations agencies and aid groups say the ongoing hostilities, the Israeli military’s refusal to facilitate deliveries and the breakdown of order inside Gaza make it increasingly difficult to bring vital aid to much of the besieged enclave.
Aid groups said they’ve faced a cumbersome inspection process that allowed only a trickle of aid to enter even as needs mounted. Israel says the inspections are needed for security reasons.
