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Disaster relief

Humanitarian Aid Deliveries to Gaza Strip Disrupted Amid Ceasefire Agreement

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A planned expansion of humanitarian aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip has been disrupted after the ceasefire agreement came into force, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said on Wednesday.

The disruption has resulted in the halving of the number of humanitarian aid trucks allowed into Gaza, with Israeli authorities claiming the measure was prompted by Hamas's failure to retrieve the remains of dead hostages. Fletcher emphasized that Hamas must make every effort to return the bodies, and Israel must allow a massive influx of humanitarian aid on which many lives depend.

The humanitarian community is determined to save lives despite the obstacles, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting that humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip continue. OCHA's partners are supporting the preparation or delivery of hundreds of thousands of meals and bags of bread every day.

Key Takeaways:

  • Israel has halved the number of humanitarian aid trucks allowed into Gaza, citing Hamas's failure to retrieve the remains of dead hostages.
  • Tom Fletcher, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, has emphasized the need for Hamas to return the bodies and for Israel to allow a massive influx of humanitarian aid.
  • The humanitarian community is determined to save lives despite the obstacles, with OCHA reporting that humanitarian efforts in the Gaza Strip continue.
  • OCHA's partners are supporting the preparation or delivery of hundreds of thousands of meals and bags of bread every day.
  • The Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Kissufim border crossings on the Israeli side were closed for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, resulting in the disruption of humanitarian aid deliveries.
  • The crossings remained closed to humanitarian aid from the Israeli side on Tuesday.

Statistics:

  • 300 trucks: The number of humanitarian aid trucks allowed into Gaza, a reduction from previous levels due to Israel's decision.
  • Hundreds of thousands: The number of meals and bags of bread being prepared or delivered by OCHA's partners every day.
  • 2 border crossings: The number of crossings on the Israeli side that were closed for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
  • Monday: The day on which the Karam Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) and Kissufim border crossings were closed for the exchange.
  • Tuesday: The day on which the crossings remained closed to humanitarian aid from the Israeli side.

Sources:

  • Xinhua (Oct. 16)
  • State Council News (People's Republic of China)
  • UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)

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