UN: Israel's Continued Hostility in Gaza Severely Hinders Aid Flow

The United Nations spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, emphasized that Israel's ongoing hostile activities in Gaza are significantly obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid to the people of the region. Despite the UN's efforts to boost aid transportation with new trucks, the challenging conditions have limited their effectiveness.

Recently, the United Nations managed to dispatch only 15 trucks to Gaza out of the 30 purchased for the purpose of enhancing humanitarian aid delivery in the region. The war has destroyed or damaged most of the vehicles previously used for aid transportation, severely impacting the aid flow. The purchase and transportation of these trucks have cost approximately $3.5 million, funded by the Humanitarian Fund for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Dujarric highlighted that the continuous hostile actions, destroyed infrastructure, and unexploded ordnances scattered across Gaza pose significant risks to humanitarian workers. These factors greatly complicate the distribution of relief supplies throughout the area.

The UN spokesperson pointed out several other hurdles in delivering aid, including restrictions on fuel supplies, security concerns at coastal checkpoints, limited communications equipment, and a shortage of drivers and trucks. These challenges are exacerbated by the widespread destruction in the region, further complicating the logistics of aid delivery.

Dujarric also noted that approximately 270,000 tons of solid waste have accumulated across Gaza, leading to a looming environmental and public health disaster. The destruction of waste management facilities and medical waste centers has severely undermined the ability of municipalities to manage and dispose of solid waste effectively.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with continuous Israeli hostilities not only causing direct damage but also hindering crucial humanitarian efforts. The international community remains concerned as the blockade and fighting continue to exacerbate the humanitarian, environmental, and health crises in the region.