OCHA: Humanitarian Aid Delivery to Northern Gaza Hampered by Israeli authorities

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that humanitarian aid delivery to the northern side of Gaza is being hampered by repeated denials of access by the Israeli authorities. 

According to OCHA, the lack of coordinated safe access is making it difficult for humanitarian partners to respond to the extensive needs in the region. In particular, Israel has denied several planned missions this week to deliver urgent medical supplies to the Central Drug Store in Gaza City, as well as fuel to water and sanitation facilities in the north.

The situation has worsened since 26 December, with five requests to reach the Central Drug Store being denied, which has left hospitals in northern Gaza without sufficient access to life-saving medical supplies and equipment. Fuel delivery has been refused six times, leaving people without access to clean water and increasing the risk of sewage overflows and the spread of communicable diseases.

OCHA noted that the rate of access denials seen in January so far has significantly deteriorated compared to those of December 2023. In December, more than 70% (13 out of 18) of planned UN missions to the north were coordinated and undertaken, where needs are estimated to be the highest and most severe.