New York – Saba:
The humanitarian aid currently reaching the Gaza Strip covers less than half of the population’s actual needs amid worsening hunger, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Farhan Haq said Monday.
In a statement to Al Jazeera, Haq stressed that the aid entering Gaza is “woefully insufficient,” underscoring the urgent need to increase both the volume and speed of humanitarian deliveries.
He blamed the deepening crisis on Israel’s full control over border crossings and checkpoints, which severely restrict aid access through prolonged and complex inspection procedures.
Though the UN still manages to get some aid through two crossing points, Haq said the inspection process makes delivery “painfully slow and complicated.”
He called for a return to the former UN-managed aid distribution mechanism, which relied on consistent, coordinated truck deliveries through land crossings—ensuring relief reached all areas in need across the Strip.
The UN is also urging to regain full operational control over its relief network inside Gaza, which was disrupted by the ongoing war.
Palestinians in Gaza have been facing unprecedented levels of hunger since Israel shut down all crossings in early March and imposed severe restrictions on the entry of food, medical supplies, fuel, and humanitarian aid.
Backed by the U.S. and Europe, Israel has continued its genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 7, 2023. So far, 60,933 Palestinians—mostly women and children—have been killed, with another 150,027 injured. Thousands remain under rubble or in the streets, unreachable by rescue teams due to ongoing hostilities.
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