The UN humanitarian relief chief is calling on Israel to open all entry points to Gaza to facilitate a significant increase in aid delivery to the region. Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, expressed his emotions following a visit to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Fletcher emphasized the urgent need to escalate humanitarian aid supplies, aiming for a substantial influx of “thousands of trucks weekly” transporting essential items like food, medicine, and other necessities into Gaza. While some aid has started flowing into Gaza through crossings at Kerem Shalom and Kissufim in Israel, Fletcher stressed the importance of opening additional entry points like Rafah to ensure that civilians receive the necessary assistance without delays.
Israel has indicated readiness to open the Rafah crossing for people’s movement but has not approved the passage of humanitarian aid through that route. Despite recent conflicts and deep-rooted distrust between Israel and Hamas, Fletcher remains hopeful for positive developments regarding the Rafah Crossing in the near future.
Samer Abdeljaber, the regional director for the World Food Program in Cairo, joined Fletcher during the visit to Rafah, advocating for more open crossings and improved access inside Gaza to enhance aid distribution and ensure the safety of the population.
Despite recent aid deliveries, medical services in Gaza remain insufficient, and a large portion of the population, including 2.2 million people, are homeless. The destruction caused by past conflicts has left Gaza in ruins, with reports of significant casualties and infrastructure damage. Various groups operating in Gaza acknowledge the initial aid efforts but emphasize the need to expedite operations to address ongoing challenges, particularly for vulnerable groups like children.
Rachael Cummings, humanitarian director for Save the Children in Gaza, highlighted the critical need for humanitarian supplies to support children and alleviate their suffering. She stressed the importance of opening all land crossings into Gaza for efficient aid delivery and emphasized the extensive rebuilding and reconstruction required to restore Gaza’s infrastructure after years of conflict and destruction.
