Humanitarians Continue to Call for Israel to Facilitate Aid Delivery in Gaza
[Middle East, January 13, 2025] – Human rights groups and aid organizations are urging Israel to ease restrictions on humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip, as the territory continues to face a dire humanitarian crisis.
According to the United Nations, nearly two million Palestinians in Gaza live under Israeli blockade, which has severely restricted the flow of goods and people in and out of the territory. The blockade, which has been in place since 2007, has led to chronic shortages of food, fuel, and essential medical supplies.
“The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire,” said Jens Laerke, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). “The blockade is having a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary Palestinians.”
Among the most pressing needs in Gaza are food, fuel, and medical supplies. The UN estimates that over half of the population of Gaza is food insecure, and that over a quarter of the population lives in poverty. The blockade has also made it difficult to deliver essential medical supplies, leading to shortages of medicines and equipment.
“We are calling on Israel to lift its blockade and allow humanitarian assistance to flow freely into Gaza,” said Laerke. “The people of Gaza need help, and it is our moral obligation to provide it.”
Israel has defended the blockade, saying that it is necessary to prevent Hamas, the Islamist group that governs Gaza, from acquiring weapons. However, the UN and human rights groups have argued that the blockade is disproportionate and that it is causing unnecessary suffering among the civilian population.
In recent months, there have been some signs that Israel may be willing to ease restrictions on aid delivery. In December 2024, Israel announced that it would allow more humanitarian goods into Gaza. However, human rights groups say that more needs to be done.
“The recent announcement by Israel is a welcome step, but it is not enough,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East director for Human Rights Watch. “Israel must lift its blockade completely and allow the free flow of goods and people in and out of Gaza.”
Until the blockade is lifted, human rights groups and aid organizations will continue to urge Israel to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza. The people of Gaza need help, and it is the responsibility of the international community to provide it.
Humanitarians continue to call for Israel to facilitate aid delivery in Gaza
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