AFP
The US envoy to the UN has cautioned Israel to urgently address the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza or face potential cuts to American military assistance, as the deadline looms for improving aid distribution.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized the need for Israel to translate words into action on the ground, noting the current lack of progress.
The US has set a deadline of 12 November for Israel to increase aid delivery, with a minimum of 350 lorries entering Gaza daily. However, the UN reports that only a fraction of that number has been reaching Gaza each day.
Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended Israel’s efforts in providing humanitarian aid and blamed Hamas for the challenges.
Despite international criticism, Israel has banned the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) from operating in the country, a move that has raised concerns among allies about the impact on aid delivery in Gaza.
During a recent briefing to the UN Security Council, UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland described the dire humanitarian conditions he witnessed in Gaza, particularly in the northern region where aid has been scarce since October.
The US has urged Israel to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza promptly, emphasizing the importance of allowing aid to reach all parts of the territory, especially as winter approaches.
While Israel asserts its commitment to delivering aid to those in need, it also accuses Hamas of obstructing aid distribution by exploiting supplies for their own purposes.
The Biden administration has called on Israel to take concrete steps to improve aid supplies within a specified timeframe, warning of potential consequences if progress is not made.
Both sides have provided conflicting data on aid delivery to Gaza, highlighting the challenges in ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need in a timely manner.
Unrwa remains a critical humanitarian presence in Gaza, despite facing challenges and restrictions from Israeli authorities.
The debate over the role of Unrwa and the implementation of new laws by the Israeli parliament continues, underscoring the complexities of delivering aid in the region.
AFP” as “Agence France-Presse”