The United Nations said Israeli restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip are obstructing relief efforts for people affected by floods that have swept through parts of the territory, causing deaths, missing persons, and the displacement of Palestinians, as well as extensive material damage. The situation has been compounded by a severe shortage of water-drainage equipment and emergency shelter supplies.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking at a press conference in New York on Monday, UN Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Farhan Haq said Israeli restrictions were forcing humanitarian workers to respond to the impact of the floods using equipment and shelter supplies that were entirely inadequate.
Haq conveyed a call by Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, to lift all unnecessary restrictions and delays preventing the entry of sufficient quantities of water pumps, heavy machinery, tents, tarpaulins, blankets, winter clothing, and other essential supplies.
He noted that the first heavy rainfall in the Gaza Strip this year had triggered flooding amid severely weakened infrastructure, further worsening the humanitarian conditions facing affected residents and displaced people.
Haq said the United Nations had received reports that an infant had drowned in floodwaters, while at least three children and one woman had died after a sand dune collapsed onto tents sheltering displaced families.
Continued Israeli Attacks and Obstruction of Humanitarian Operations
In a related development, Haq confirmed that Israeli attacks on residential areas across the Gaza Strip were continuing, resulting in further casualties and obstructing the work of UN humanitarian teams.
He explained that UN personnel were forced to take shelter last Saturday after gunfire erupted near a displacement site west of the "Yellow Line" in Gaza City. No injuries were reported among the staff.
Haq renewed the UN's call for civilians to be protected in accordance with international humanitarian law, stressing that additional humanitarian aid could enter the Gaza Strip if Israeli authorities allowed it.
