UN urges direct hotline to Israeli forces amid Gaza crisis for enhanced aid delivery

Jamie McGoldrick, the departing UN humanitarian coordinator, emphasizes need for a direct hotline to Israeli soldiers involved in the fighting in the Gaza Strip

A direct hotline to Israeli soldiers involved in the fighting is desperately needed, according to Jamie McGoldrick’s statement, the departing UN humanitarian coordinator, who is trying to build confidence and make relief distribution easier in the beleaguered Gaza Strip.

McGoldrick stressed the need for direct connection with conflict parties during a news conference in Geneva on Friday. “The UN and other humanitarian actors need to be speaking to people who are firing guns,” he said, rather than working via liaison bodies.

After completing a three-month assignment as the Palestinian territories’ temporary humanitarian coordinator, McGoldrick emphasized the need for more communication between the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and aid agencies working in Gaza. He highlighted the current mistrust and misconceptions by expressing worries about the absence of a direct channel of contact in the case of security crises.

McGoldrick stated, “The IDF have never worked with humanitarian organizers before in this type of environment,” noting the necessity of understanding and collaboration between all parties. He went on to highlight more of the drawbacks of the present notification system and advocated for the creation of a special hotline to promote communication and coordination.

The need for improved communication is a response to the deadly attack on World Central Kitchen (WCK) charity staff on April 1, which resulted in the deaths of seven relief workers and provoked fury throughout the globe. McGoldrick pointed out that not much has changed in terms of guaranteeing the security of aid workers, even after concerns were sent to Israel about the defective notification system.

After conferring with Major General Yaron Finkelman, the commander of the IDF Southern Command, McGoldrick emphasized the significance of putting in place a mechanism to ensure the security of relief workers. He emphasized the impending humanitarian crisis in Gaza that might arise if access to supplies is not increased, especially in the north.

Source: AFP