UN hears ‘dramatic testimony’ from experts on crisis in Gaza
This hearing is happening against a backdrop of utter despair in Gaza and the sidelining of the United Nations in its efforts to bring aid to Gaza. The longest-standing aid operations in Gaza, of course, have been from the UN.
We’ve heard from Sigrid Kaag – the special coordinator for Middle East peace – about the need to allow the UN back into Gaza, to have unfettered access to the people there, to do the job that they are uniquely qualified to do.
We also heard from Feroze Sidhwa, a surgeon who does emergency procedures. … The message from both of these experts was again calling for a ceasefire and the full resumption of aid into the Gaza Strip.
We are [also] hearing from countries about the need for more aid to get in. Denmark was interesting, speaking … [about] representing the overwhelming majority of voices in the Security Council when it comes to humanitarian aid being allowed to flow freely and at scale in Gaza.
The ambassador talked about the need for medical access as well, again highlighting the unbearable conditions of people on the ground and the growing concern among the international community that this could not be allowed to go on.
‘How many more must die before action is taken?’
Here’s some of what’s been said during the UN Security Council debate:
- Algeria: “How many more must die before action is taken by the Security Council? How many orphans must roam the ruins of Gaza? How much more blood must be spilled before this council acknowledges that enough is enough? … The time for indecision is over.”
- France: “The highly limited [aid] quantities of recent days are insufficient when it comes to meeting the needs of the populations, especially after 12 long weeks of total blockade. The images of desperate, starving people throwing themselves on trucks and aid distribution points are a tragic illustration of this.”
- Guyana: “The judgement of future generations will be justifiably harsh towards us, we who saw the attempts at obliterating an entire people but did not act. This council has the opportunity to act now. Enough is enough.”
- United Kingdom: “The UN warned of the risks from the Israeli government’s plan for aid delivery. In Rafah yesterday, we saw this warning become a reality. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation lost control of its distribution centre with multiple casualties reported and great distress for those desperately seeking aid. In contrast, the UN has a clear plan to deliver life-saving aid at scale. It contains robust mitigations against aid diversion. Brave humanitarians stand ready to do their jobs. Nine thousand trucks wait at the border.”
