Briefing reporters via a video link on Thursday, he said Gaza’s more than two million people are struggling with a painful reality of acute shortages of food, shelter, security and other basic needs.
Georgios Petropoulos emphasized that we are here to support the people who have been struggling to survive for the past 14 months. But, we are not allowed to work.
According to a senior UN humanitarian official, ordinary people are dying of hunger and suffering, and children, mothers, aid workers and teachers are all at risk.
Challenges before aid operations
Efforts are being made to deliver food, health care and other services, including safe drinking water, to the needy population of Gaza, but this has been extremely challenging due to fuel shortages and blocked access roads.
According to him, complete restrictions have been imposed by the Israeli administration, due to which aid distribution efforts have been deeply affected.
“When we talk to the Israeli administration about this, they reject almost every offer of a real solution.” According to Georgios Petropoulos, the aid system is being used as a weapon.
A senior United Nations official said the Palestinian population’s needs continue to grow, but time is running out for aid supplies to reach them.
Mass displacement and destruction
Northern Gaza has been under siege for the past 75 days, with the Israeli military conducting an intensive operation.
During this period, there have been large-scale civilian casualties, local communities have suffered severe damage and people have been forcibly displaced amid bombings.
“The Israeli corridor (Gaza) divides the Strip into two, and has been tightened to such an extent that it is no longer a corridor.”
It is reported that 150 applications for humanitarian aid have been rejected since October.
Application to Member States
The head of the UN Coordination Office in Gaza appealed to all member states to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians.
He stressed the immediate implementation of the ceasefire and the provision of full access to humanitarian aid supplies.
The UN official noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely alarming and the situation continues to deteriorate. According to him, the current crisis is a major test for the UN humanitarian aid system, but supplies are running low.