“We see a health system on its knees, a lack of clean water, a lack of proper sanitation, and malnutrition for people who are already mentally and physically exhausted: a perfect formula for pandemics and public health disaster,” he warned in a statement. launch.
The representative stressed that after the end of the truce period, humanitarian operations may not be able to respond to the devastating context of the enclave.
He regretted that the permitted quantities of relief supplies and fuel were completely insufficient.
According to the envoy, using the Rafah crossing alone to enter cargo trucks is not working, despite the tremendous efforts made by the Egyptian and Palestinian Red Crescent Societies, UN agencies and other partners.
Hastings insisted that the space for humanitarian response allowed inside Gaza was steadily shrinking.
He added, “The two most important roads (the coastal road and the Salah al-Din Highway) are now cut off in front of our teams and trucks, which hinders our ability to help people wherever they are.”
The representative said that after the end of the truce, 700 Palestinians died in addition to the 15,500 who had already been killed, recalling the expansion of Israeli military operations towards southern Gaza.
He stressed that this is forcing tens of thousands of people to move into ever smaller spaces, in search of food, water, shelter and safety.
He stressed that the United Nations and non-governmental organizations alone cannot support a population of 2.2 million people.
The commercial and public sectors must be allowed to bring supplies into Gaza to replenish markets, including fuel, in a way that ensures Israel’s security.
The Humanitarian Coordinator described the announcements of the establishment of so-called safe zones and tent cities as worrying.
He added that this does not provide guarantees that people can move freely and get help when necessary.
He stressed that “these areas cannot be safe or humanitarian when they are declared unilaterally.”
Hastings said the United Nations is ready to work with all parties to increase the number of safe havens run by the agency and provide assistance when needed.
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