On Tuesday, the UN and its partners coordinated eight planned humanitarian movements within Gaza with Israeli authorities. Of these, only one movement was facilitated, while the remaining seven were prevented, denied or cancelled.
Despite the challenges, UN teams managed to collect more than 200 pallets of medicine and five fuel tankers at the Kerem Shalom/Kerem Abu Salem crossing. Additional tents were also recovered from the Kissufim crossing.
“Every delivery to Gaza makes a significant difference,” Dujarric said.
The health system barely works
The spokesperson stressed that Gaza’s health system remains in a state of extreme fragility.
“Not a single hospital in Gaza is fully operational,” he said, noting that only 18 of the Strip’s 36 hospitals are currently partially operational.
On Monday, teams from the UN World Health Organization (WHO) facilitated the medical evacuation of 33 Palestinians in need of critical care, along with more than 100 companions. However, the magnitude of unmet medical needs remains overwhelming.
“There are still more than 16,500 patients who need to receive medical care outside Gaza,” Dujarric said.
WHO continues to call for safe access through all evacuation routes, in particular to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and for medical evacuation convoys to be accelerated at crossings.
Maintain education
Meanwhile, UN agencies continue their efforts to maintain essential civil services. The United Nations agency that helps Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) maintains learning activities for displaced children throughout Gaza.
As of Sunday, UNRWA was operating nearly 350 temporary learning spaces in 64 shelters, providing in-person education to more than 47,000 boys and girls.
Humanitarian staff also continue to provide other critical support.
Call for barrier-free access
Dujarric said the United Nations and its partners are willing to expand operations if restrictions are eased.
“Once again we ask for unimpeded humanitarian access so that teams can reach all the people they need,” he said.
“We and our partners will be able to do much more as soon as restrictions on relief items and aid groups are lifted.”