Over 100 aid requests for Gaza denied by Israel since Oct. 6: UN
Israel has denied more than 100 access requests for humanitarian aid to northern Gaza since Oct. 6, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said Monday.
Fletcher issued a written statement regarding his visits to the Middle East last week. He detailed meetings with U.N. staff, officials, and communities in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo, Idlib, Ankara, Beirut, Nabatieh, and Amman. He concluded his trip by engaging with humanitarian teams in the occupied Palestinian territories.
Key concerns in Gaza
Fletcher referenced the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) upcoming provisional measures on the application of the Genocide Convention in Gaza, expected in January 2024. He highlighted the severe conditions in Gaza, stating:
- “There is no safe place for civilians in Gaza.”
- Schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure have been reduced to rubble.
- Northern Gaza has been under near-total siege for over two months, exacerbating fears of famine.
Fletcher pointed out that this situation has caused extreme overcrowding and dire living conditions in southern Gaza. As winter intensifies, humanitarian needs in Gaza are escalating further. He also noted that Israel continues to issue evacuation orders and conduct attacks on densely populated areas.
Aid delivery challenges
Despite efforts to deliver aid, Fletcher emphasized that Gaza has become the deadliest and most dangerous location for humanitarian workers over the past year. He stated:
- “Despite enormous humanitarian needs, delivering even a fraction of the urgently needed assistance to Gaza has become almost impossible.”
- “Israeli authorities continue to reject our meaningful access requests. Since October 6, over 100 requests to access northern Gaza have been denied.”
- He also noted the growing lawlessness, with local gangs systematically looting aid supplies under arms.
Worsening conditions in West Bank
Fletcher warned that the humanitarian situation in the occupied West Bank is also deteriorating. He pointed to the rising death toll, which has reached its highest recorded levels.