‘Worst restrictions’ as Israel blockades Gaza: UN
The United Nations says restrictions on aid to Gaza are the worst since Israel’s war on the Palestinian territory began in October last year.
“We see now what is probably the worst restrictions we’ve seen on humanitarian aid – ever,” said James Elder, a spokesman for the UN’s children’s agency UNICEF.
He noted there were several days where no trucks were allowed into Gaza by Israel with Palestinians in the north cut off from food, water and medicine during a 12-day ground invasion and siege by Israeli troops.
UK, France, Algeria call UN Security Council meeting on Gaza aid
Britain’s foreign secretary says the UK, France and Algeria have called an urgent meeting at the UN Security Council to discuss the desperate and devolving humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In a statement, David Lammy said Israel must ensure civilians are protected and routes open to allow life-saving aid through.
“The humanitarian situation in northern Gaza is dire with access to basic services worsening and the United Nations reporting that barely any food has entered in the last two weeks,” Lammy said.
Food supplies to besieged Gaza have fallen sharply since Israeli authorities introduced a new customs rule on some humanitarian aid. No goods have been allowed into northern Gaza since Israeli forces launched their latest ground incursion.
Oxfam says more than 80 percent of food aid failing to reach people in Gaza
A new report on conflict-fuelled hunger by the UK-based charity says nearly half a million people in Gaza are starving during the ongoing war in the coastal enclave.
“As conflict rages around the world, starvation has become a lethal weapon wielded by warring parties against international laws, causing an alarming rise in human deaths and suffering,” Emily Farr, Oxfam’s food and economic security lead, said in a statement.
“Nearly half a million people in Gaza – where 83 percent of food aid needed is currently not reaching them – and over three-quarters of a million in Sudan are currently starving as the deadly impact of wars on food will likely be felt for generations.”
Oxfam called on the international community, including the UN Security Council, to hold accountable those responsible for “starvation crimes” under international law.
