Geneva - Saba:
The World Health Organization (WHO), based in Geneva, stated on Sunday that it "needs crossings to be opened to deliver and distribute aid to Gaza," pointing out that "the crowding of people around relief trucks is caused by Israel."
The organization clarified that Gaza "does not need an alternative aid plan, but rather a decision to open the door for aid delivery, free from political considerations." It added that the Strip "needs a ceasefire."
The WHO also noted that the functioning hospitals in Gaza are operating partially due to limited medical staff.
Meanwhile, efforts to attract established humanitarian organizations or major donors are struggling. The UN and several humanitarian groups say they "cannot cooperate with a model that violates their principles, which prohibit vetting the identities of aid recipients, and may not be sufficient to feed all of Gaza’s population."
The humanitarian initiative, "Gaza Humanity," is set to launch its aid delivery operation on Monday. According to the proposal, the organization will initially establish four secure and scalable distribution sites, each providing access to food, water, and other essential supplies for about 300,000 people. After this initial phase, the operation could expand to reach two million people in Gaza.
However, the proposal lacks clear details on how the organization will operate on the ground, the source of funding for its operations, and the significant implications for the two million Palestinians trapped in the 140-square-mile enclave, who face the risk of famine, according to UN estimates.
Since March 2, no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza. On April 4, the Israeli security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, voted to allow the resumption of aid distribution only under a model similar to the U.S.-backed "Gaza Humanity" initiative.
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