United Nations (UN) agencies have urged Israel to immediately open all border crossings into Gaza and lift restrictions on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) to facilitate unobstructed delivery of humanitarian aid into the war-torn enclave.
UNRWA Director of Communications Juliette Touma said on Saturday that the agency currently has enough food supplies to feed the entire population in Gaza for three months, which is crucial for addressing the famine that has emerged in the region. She reiterated the call for Israel to lift the ban on UNRWA to help alleviate the famine in Gaza.
Israel's ban on the UN aid agency officially took effect on January 30, terminating all cooperation, communication, and contact with the agency.
UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) spokeswoman Tess Ingram said on Friday that as many residents of Gaza return home, they urgently need larger-scale humanitarian assistance due to the severe destruction of their homes. She called on Israel to promptly open all crossings into Gaza to expedite the entry of aid supplies and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire deal on Thursday after three days of talks mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States.The ceasefire deal entered into effect on Friday.
The first phase of the plan includes Israeli troop withdrawals from Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Younis, and the north, the opening of five crossings for aid, and the release of hostages and prisoners.
More than two years of Israeli military operations have devastated Gaza, killing over 67,000 people and triggering famine, according to Gaza's health authorities.
UN agencies urge Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for urgent humanitarian aid
UN agencies urge Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for urgent humanitarian aid
UN agencies urge Israel to open all crossings into Gaza for urgent humanitarian aid
