Gaza: Lifesaving aid operations continue despite restrictions

The United Nations said that its teams attempted to coordinate eight humanitarian missions on Friday and five were fully facilitated. 

The remaining three – which included a mission to reach a water treatment plant in Khan Younis – were denied by Israel. 

Saving lives, beating famine 

The successful missions collected food and medical supplies from the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem crossing. Teams also monitored humanitarian cargo at the Kissufim and Kerem Shalom loading platforms.    

Speaking in New York, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric noted that four months have passed since the ceasefire agreement came into effect in Gaza, and the humanitarian scale-up has saved countless lives and pushed back famine.  

Yet many people are still “living in extremely harsh conditions, and the humanitarian response continues to face significant obstacles, especially to the entry of goods and the ability of humanitarian partners to operate,” he added.   

Durable housing solutions needed 

Almost 1.5 million people – or two in three Palestinians in Gaza – are staying in 1,000 displacement sites across the Strip and in tents.  

Hundreds of families also have sheltered in damaged buildings, which are at risk of collapse.   

Humanitarians continue to provide the population with tents, tarpaulins, mattresses, clothes and other items – reaching more than 85,000 families alone in January.  

“But these items offer limited protection and their lifespan is short,” Mr. Dujarric said.  

“To provide more durable solutions, restrictions on the entry of essential construction materials and equipment must be lifted.”