The proposal from experienced aid leader Martin Griffiths, who leads the UN’s aid coordination office OCHA, comes over a month after Hamas fighters caused the deaths of 1,200 individuals in Israel and abducted approximately 240 hostages.

The Israeli siege and attack that ensued resulted in the destruction of numerous buildings in Gaza and an estimated 11,000 civilian deaths, according to the Ministry of Health in the area.

Halt the killing

Mr. Griffiths stated that the ongoing violence in Gaza is reaching unprecedented levels of terror, causing the world to be stunned by attacks on hospitals and the loss of innocent lives, including premature babies. He emphasized that it is imperative for the international community to take action and put an end to this tragedy.

Mr. Griffiths urged both sides of the conflict and anyone with the ability to influence them to consider the proposal. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a secure and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza.

More entry points must be established for the enclave, in addition to Rafah from Egypt, as outlined in the 10-point proposal. This should also involve utilizing Kerem Shalom and incorporating private sector suppliers into the plan.

Comprehensive UN-led response

Rejecting claims that the United Nations did not have an all-encompassing plan for providing aid, Mr. Griffiths emphasized at a media briefing in Geneva for the launch of the strategy that it adhered to the fundamental humanitarian principles that are applicable to all crises.

However, according to him, the effort does demonstrate the rising demands associated with the growing population moving from the northern part of the enclave to the southern part. He conveyed this information to reporters in Geneva.

The crucial factor is the consistency and dependability of ongoing assistance… Individuals must be assured that aid will continue to arrive in the future,” he stated. “They should also be aware that they have enough time to utilize these resources, as more will be provided in the near future.”

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Having access to fuel is crucial for…

Ensuring access to fuel, a vital necessity for aid distribution, should also include the ability to obtain “adequate amounts” to provide essential services. The UN and its partners should be granted permission to increase the availability of shelters for those displaced from their residences in northern Gaza due to the Israeli military’s evacuation directive.

Mr. Griffiths emphasized the need for extra funding for the humanitarian effort, stating that it now totals $1.2 billion. He also called for the UN and its partners to be able to distribute aid and for civilians to have the freedom to relocate to safer places and return to their homes voluntarily.

© UNRWA/Ashraf Amra

A man and a young boy are splitting a water supply in the Gaza Strip.

Fuel boost essential

On Wednesday, it was reported that the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) received a shipment of 23,000 liters of fuel. However, this fuel cannot be utilized for vital humanitarian purposes such as medical and water facilities. In response, Mr. Griffiths made a plea for 200,000 liters of fuel per day.

“He stated that it serves as the driving force for successful hospitals and for trucks traveling from Rafah to distribution centers.”

More crossing points

The highest UN aid representative emphasized the importance of establishing additional entry points for aid to enter Gaza, particularly at Kerem Shalom in the northern part of the region. Prior to the recent escalation, this border crossing handled over 60 percent of the trucks delivering supplies to Gaza.

Source: news.un.org