Stocks of tents, bedding and other essential supplies are running out quicklyand some aid workers buy what they can in local markets (clothing, bedding, basic kitchen items), according to the UN agency responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid, OCHA.
The United Nations continues to provide critical assistance, despite “Decreased supplies due to increased restrictions since the regional escalation began.”OCHA stressed.
More than 400,000 liters of fuel were successfully collected on Tuesday, while UN aid teams and partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene collected seven truckloads of supplies from Kerem Shalom.
Aid bottlenecks
The Kerem Shalom crossing remains the only operational crossing through which humanitarian and commercial cargo can enter the Strip.
“This is not sustainable, as both the humanitarian and commercial sectors are subject to the same bottleneck at the Kerem Shalom crossing.”OCHA said.
“While The recent Israeli announcement that Rafah will reopen its doors has not yet been implemented.“The UN stands ready to resume medical evacuations and support people returning to Gaza,” said UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.
The UN continues to call for safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to ensure those in need receive the support they urgently need.
Fears of growing impunity
Warning of a dangerous normalization of the situation in Gaza, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said that “impunity reigns and disproportionate actions are being normalized amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East.”
“It’s a vicious circle: The more violations, the stronger the culture of impunity becomes.…failing to report abuses and allowing the law of the fittest to prevail will have repercussions throughout the world.”