AhlulBayt News Agency (ABNA): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip have become impossible due to the ongoing blockade and obstructions by the Israeli authorities.
On Sunday, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) announced the suspension of humanitarian aid delivery into the Gaza Strip via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing due to security concerns.
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini stated, "We are halting aid delivery through Kerem Shalom, the primary entry point for humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
The route from this crossing has been unsafe for several months." Lazzarini also mentioned that armed groups had stolen a significant aid convoy entering the territory last month.
“Yesterday, we tried to bring in a few food trucks on the same route. They were all taken,” Lazzarini said.“This difficult decision comes at a time hunger is rapidly deepening. The delivery of humanitarian aid must never be dangerous or turn into an ordeal.”
The head of UNRWA stated that the continuous siege, restrictions, unsafe conditions, and targeting of local law enforcement by Israel render humanitarian operations in Gaza unfeasible.
Lazzarini emphasized that the State of Israel, as the occupying power, bears the responsibility for safeguarding aid workers and supplies. It is imperative for Israel to guarantee the safe passage of aid into Gaza and abstain from any assaults on humanitarian personnel.
He added: “I call once again for a cease-fire that would also secure the delivery of safe and uninterrupted aid to people in need.”
Israel initiated a devastating conflict in the Gaza Strip in response to a cross-border assault by the Palestinian organization Hamas in October of last year. The conflict resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 44,400 lives, predominantly women and children, with over 105,000 individuals sustaining injuries.
The second year of genocide in Gaza has drawn growing international condemnation, with officials and institutions labeling the attacks and blocking of aid deliveries as a deliberate attempt to destroy a population.
On November 21, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its deadly war on Gaza.
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