The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has today, Wednesday, accused Israel of continuing to prevent its staff from accessing the northern part of the Gaza Strip to deliver food aid and essential supplies.
In a statement, UNRWA revealed the tragic loss of 176 of its employees since the outbreak of the war in Gaza, highlighting the severe impact of the conflict on humanitarian efforts.
The agency emphasized that over half of the supplies delivered through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings last month were facilitated by UNRWA, underscoring the critical role it plays in the relief efforts amidst the blockade.
Since October 7, 2023, when Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, initiated “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood”, launching thousands of rockets into Israel and conducting raids on Israeli towns near the Gaza border, the Israeli military operations in Gaza have continued unabated.
These attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 Israeli casualties, mostly settlers, and the capture of around 250 individuals.
Israel’s response, a formal declaration of war on Gaza, included devastating air strikes followed by ground operations, leading to approximately 33,000 Palestinian deaths and over 75,000 injuries to date.
The conflict witnessed a brief seven-day ceasefire, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, during which prisoners, including women and children, were exchanged, and some humanitarian aid was allowed into Gaza.
However, the cessation of hostilities ended on Friday, December 1, 2023, with the renewal of fighting between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza.
This ongoing conflict has severely hampered humanitarian access and relief operations in the region, with UNRWA’s latest accusations against Israel highlighting the dire situation faced by civilians in northern Gaza.
The blockade and military operations have significantly hindered the delivery of much-needed food and basic supplies to the Palestinian people, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
As the international community watches closely, the call for unimpeded humanitarian access and a resolution to the conflict grows increasingly urgent.
