The amount of aid allowed into Gaza remains a mere “trickle” despite Israel partially lifting a blockade, according to the United Nations, a situation exacerbated by ongoing violence and aid site closures. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday renewed his impassioned plea for full humanitarian access, stating that “we must be allowed to do our jobs” amidst “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food.
The dire situation was underscored by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a US and Israeli-backed group, which announced the temporary closure of its facilities. This move followed a string of deadly incidents, including the killing of 27 people in southern Gaza on Tuesday near a GHF aid site. The Israeli army’s designation of roads to aid centers as “combat zones” has further obstructed delivery efforts.
Fletcher unequivocally stated that the civilian deaths are the “outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive.” He highlighted the overwhelming burden on emergency medical teams and the systemic nature of the crisis.
Echoing UN chief Antonio Guterres, Fletcher demanded immediate independent investigations and accountability. He called for the “open[ing of] the crossings — all of them,” the lifting of all restrictions on aid, and the implementation of a ceasefire to enable the UN to deliver critical assistance at scale and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.
