Israel prevents UN commissioner's visit to Gaza

Published at: 18/03/2024 04:37 PM

The commissioner general of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, denounced the refusal of the Israeli authorities to enter Gaza. In a message posted to his X account, the official said he tried to visit the Strip to coordinate and improve the humanitarian response following the release of a report that considers the expansion of famine imminent to the north of the Palestinian enclave.

However, Tel Aviv did not allow access, despite the important role of UNRWA in the Strip, where it is considered the main actor on the ground. The commissioner assured that “too much time” has been wasted asking for the opening of all land crossings for immediate access to aid. “Famine can be prevented with political will,” he said.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification report, released this Monday, confirmed an imminent famine that could spread in May in the north of the enclave without urgent intervention. According to statistics, half of the population in Gaza, close to one million 100,000 people, suffer from catastrophic hunger and the entire population suffers from high levels of food insecurity.

The research adds that it is particularly complex in the north, where the lack of access by Israeli forces limits humanitarian shipments. Through the text, he called for “necessary actions” to prevent famine, a situation that requires an immediate political decision for a ceasefire, together with a significant and immediate increase in humanitarian and commercial access to the entire population of Gaza.

The UN estimates that, with current needs, 300 trucks of humanitarian aid are needed per day for the population trapped in the conflict that broke out last October 7, after the incursion of the Hamas group into Israeli territory. However, United Nations organizations denounce Israel's lack of access, while calling for more attention from the international community .

This Sunday, the World Food Program delivered 18 trucks full of food supplies, including wheat flour, food packages and ready-to-eat rations to Gaza City, via a new route along the border. That new path must be available for daily convoys, according to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in the search for constant and safe access to the north.

VTE/Mazo News Team