UN Unable to Deliver Aid to Gaza Amid Border Closures
The United Nations has warned that it is unable to deliver critical humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip following the closure of the Rafah and Karem Abu Salim border crossings, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric cited the latest report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, stating that “we cannot bring in humanitarian assistance, cannot access nutrition supplies. We need to treat more than 3,000 children with acute malnutrition. We cannot access the fuel needed to power our response efforts.”
Dujarric also expressed concern over the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians in eastern Rafah due to evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces. “Civilians in Gaza must be protected and have their basic needs met,” he stressed.
According to the UN, there are at least 700,000 women and girls in Gaza, 93% of whom do not feel safe in their homes and shelters. The UN also reported that 80% of women in Gaza are suffering from depression, and over 70% have heightened anxiety or nightmares.
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has taken a devastating toll, with the Health Ministry in Gaza reporting nearly 34,800 Palestinian deaths since October. Israel is currently facing an international court case over allegations of genocide in the region.
Palestinian group Hamas had recently agreed to an Egyptian-Qatari proposal for ceasefire, but Israel rejected the three-phase agreement claiming it fell short of demands.
