Gaza – Saba:
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) condemned on Monday the ongoing killing of civilians in Gaza as they attempt to obtain food, calling it a “recurring tragedy.”
UNRWA’s Director of External Relations and Communications, Tamara Al-Rifai, criticized the current food distribution system managed by the so-called “Gaza Humanitarian Foundation,” imposed by Israeli authorities, saying it lacks the professionalism, knowledge, and capacity to handle effective aid delivery.
“No one should have to risk their life to eat,” Al-Rifai said.
She stressed the need to allow 500 to 600 aid trucks per day into Gaza to meet basic humanitarian needs, asserting that UNRWA has the access, infrastructure, expertise, and community trust required to deliver aid effectively.
Al-Rifai renewed calls for Israel to open border crossings and allow UNRWA to resume its life-saving humanitarian operations inside Gaza.
She also noted that, despite over 300 air-drop operations since the crisis began, they have amounted to the equivalent of only 10 truckloads—a negligible amount compared to what’s urgently needed.
“Why continue dangerous, costly air-drops while 6,000 UNRWA trucks remain blocked at the borders?” she asked.
UNRWA, the largest UN agency operating in Gaza, has repeatedly warned of catastrophic famine and collapse if aid continues to be restricted.
Backed by U.S. and European support, Israel has maintained a deadly blockade on Gaza since October 7, 2023. According to the latest figures, 60,933 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed, and 150,027 injured—with many bodies still trapped under rubble and unreachable due to ongoing military operations.
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