World is failing innocent civilians in Gaza: UN Gaza aid chief

The UN’s most senior official overseeing aid and reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, has expressed deep concern over the international community’s inability to meet urgent needs of civilians in the territory.

In a candid interview with the BBC, Kaag described the situation as a “significant catastrophe,” highlighting the shortfalls in providing aid and the dire conditions for the people of Gaza.

Aid delivery to Gaza is falling short

Kaag, who was appointed nine months ago to improve the delivery of aid, emphasized that the systems to deliver assistance, including land and sea routes, are in place but are not enough. “We’re not meeting the needs, let alone creating prospects and hope for the civilians in Gaza,” she said. Despite the UN working tirelessly, Kaag described Gaza as “the most unsafe place in the world to work.”

Ongoing challenges in Gaza amid conflict

The UN aid chief warned that a ceasefire is essential for further improvements, particularly regarding the release of Israeli hostages. She acknowledged that the process known as “deconfliction,” aimed at ensuring safe aid missions, was “not working or working insufficiently,” limiting the feasibility of operations.

Last week, an aid convoy heading into northern Gaza was blocked by Israeli forces, and a UN school used as a shelter was reportedly targeted by an airstrike, resulting in 18 deaths. Israel claimed Hamas was using the facility as a command center, while the UN reported the deaths of six staff members in the same attack.

What's happening in Gaza is totally unacceptable.

A school turned shelter for around 12,000 people was hit by Israeli airstrikes again today.

Six of our @UNRWA colleagues are among those killed.

These dramatic violations of international humanitarian law need to stop now.

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) September 11, 2024

Israel and UN cooperation

Kaag described her discussions with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as “constructive.” However, she noted the gap between commitments made by Israeli authorities and their implementation, stressing, “There is not a day, not a second to lose.”

Israeli officials have maintained that sufficient aid is reaching Gaza and denied claims of widespread hunger, though Kaag pointed out that UN surveys show a large portion of Gaza’s population is food insecure.

Allegations of UN aid diverted to Hamas not true

In response to Israeli accusations that Hamas is diverting aid, Kaag said, “We hear that a lot. I find that very difficult to confirm.” She expressed confidence in the integrity of the UN’s operations but acknowledged the inherent difficulties in a conflict zone.

UNRWA under scrutiny

The UN’s largest aid agency in Gaza, UNRWA , has faced allegations of being infiltrated by Hamas. Kaag stated that investigations are ongoing whenever evidence is presented, and the agency has dismissed several employees amid these concerns.

Kaag concluded by emphasizing the scale of trauma in Gaza, expressing hope that those working to resolve the crisis would be forgiven if they were “too slow, too little, too late.”