By using this site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and our Terms of Use. Close
SvennoJ on 11 May 2024
Edit Thread

Humanitarian operations struggling with tight restrictions: UN

The UN agency OCHA says it’s struggling to provide Palestinians with aid because of Israeli restrictions: key crossings are closed, missions denied, and movement delayed.

“The combination of severe access constraints and ongoing insecurity has resulted in a non-permissive and volatile operational environment for humanitarian actors. With soaring needs, all parties must enable safe access for aid to make a difference,” it said in a report.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in April, 21 humanitarian missions were cancelled, 20 denied, and 34 missions impeded by Israeli authorities.

Israeli forces shot at fuel truck in Gaza, denied help to dying Palestinian

A new UN report outlines how Israeli forces are hindering humanitarian operations inside Gaza – and even a life-saving rescue attempt.

The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on April 9 it attempted – as part of a mission coordinated with the Israeli military – to get a truck carrying 18,000 litres of desperately needed fuel to northern Gaza.

OCHA’s team waited as required at a holding area near a checkpoint in the militarised boundary between northern and southern Gaza when a UN vehicle – sent to assist with a mechanical issue encountered by the fuel tanker – observed a Palestinian man with a gunshot wound to the head who was still alive.

“The organization, in coordination with OCHA, urgently requested permission from Israeli authorities to provide first aid and transport the injured man to an ambulance. While waiting for the approval, live ammunition was fired from the direction of the checkpoint, hitting the fuel tanker’s windscreen. The approval to assist the injured man was never granted, and the man died after more than two hours without medical treatment.”

Infrastructure damage another factor hampering humanitarian aid: UN

Many humanitarian missions to the Gaza Strip are regularly denied or delayed, but the destruction inside the enclave also presents significant challenges to humanitarian movements.

“Routes that remain available for use by humanitarian organizations are frequently blocked by debris, heavily congested, and contaminated with unexploded ordnance,” according to the UN’s Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).


Displaced Palestinians arrive in central Gaza after fleeing from Rafah

Some 2.3 million tonnes of debris – from the total 37.5 million tonnes across Gaza – is attributed to damaged roads, with the UN Mine Action Service reporting a “considerable” amount contains undetonated bombs.

At least 10 percent of fired ammunition potentially fails to function, leading to 1,000-pound (450kg) bombs being left at major intersections and within school premises.  Debris also is estimated to contain about 800,000 tonnes of asbestos and other contaminants, OCHA reports.

Evacuation orders in Rafah for civilians ‘unacceptable’: EU

President of the European Council Charles Michel called on Israeli government to “respect humanitarian law” and not “undertake a ground operation” in the southernmost Gaza city.

“Evacuation orders for civilians trapped in Rafah to unsafe zones are unacceptable,” he posted on X. “All efforts must continue to secure an agreement for a lasting ceasefire. The EU is committed to a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution.”



You need to tell that to Biden as he just gave the OK for further Rafah 'operations'