Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Urgent Call for Safe Passage and Aid Assistance
The World Food Program (WFP) has issued an urgent appeal for the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Gaza, along with the safe passage of its staff and essential aid. The WFP has launched an emergency operation to provide food assistance to over 800,000 people in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank who are currently lacking access to food, water, and essential supplies.
The organization has already distributed ready-to-eat items to 73,000 individuals currently residing in displaced-persons shelters in Gaza. However, the WFP is deeply concerned about the availability of food in local shops as supplies begin to run out, following Israel’s declaration of a complete siege on the Palestinian territory on Monday. Israel has taken this action in response to the deadly Hamas attacks that occurred on Saturday.
The closure of all borders and checkpoints between Gaza and Israel is exacerbating the crisis by preventing aid from entering. The WFP has stressed the importance of establishing humanitarian corridors to replenish its stocks and enable the distribution of food to an additional 300,000 people.
The current situation in Gaza is dire, with electricity available for only three to four hours a day for most residents. This severe lack of power is negatively affecting health facilities, which are already overwhelmed with casualties and running low on medical supplies. Additionally, ambulances are facing fuel shortages.
To address the growing health concerns, the World Health Organization (WHO) has offered assistance to health officials in both Israel and Gaza. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi on Monday, where they agreed to facilitate the delivery of health and humanitarian supplies from the WHO to Gaza via the Rafah border crossing.
In light of the escalating violence, U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has called for an end to the hostilities and emphasized that humanitarian assistance, vital services, and supplies to Gaza must not be blocked. He emphasized the importance of upholding the laws of war and promoting the humane treatment of captives, as well as the immediate release of all hostages.
Volker Türk, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, has appealed to all parties involved to adhere to international humanitarian law. He called for an immediate halt to attacks that target civilians and cause disproportionate death and injury, as well as damage to civilian infrastructure. Türk specifically urged Israel to respect the principle of distinction and refrain from launching indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks on structures in Gaza.
In response, Israel’s U.N. ambassador condemned the comparison between Israel and Hamas, expressing his unwavering determination to eliminate Hamas’ terror infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the U.N. Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which assists Palestinian refugees, announced that its headquarters in Gaza City was hit by airstrikes on Monday night, resulting in damage but no injuries. UNRWA has already suffered damage to at least 18 of its facilities, including schools used as civilian shelters. Tragically, two staff members and five UNRWA students have lost their lives during the hostilities.
It is essential to protect all United Nations buildings and facilities at all times, including during times of conflict, as they play a crucial role in aid provision.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is increasingly dire, and urgent action must be taken to ensure the safe passage of aid and the establishment of humanitarian corridors to reach those in need. The international community must come together to address this crisis and provide the necessary assistance for the people of Gaza.
