Palestinian aid workers warn of ‘catastrophic’ Gaza conditions as aid remains blocked
As-salamu alaykum - Palestinian aid workers are sounding the alarm that conditions in Gaza are still “catastrophic” because much of the humanitarian aid agreed under the ceasefire hasn’t been allowed in.
Two weeks after the truce began, only a small proportion of the aid trucks that were supposed to enter Gaza have actually arrived. Aid groups say Palestinian families are struggling to find enough food and basic supplies. Dozens of organizations working in Gaza have urged the authorities to let humanitarian assistance flow freely into the area, saying many shipments of life-saving items are being arbitrarily turned away and a new NGO registration process is delaying deliveries.
“We expected Gaza to be flooded with aid the moment the ceasefire began but that’s not what we’re seeing,” said Bushra Khalidi, who works on Palestinian policy at Oxfam.
During the first 10 days of the truce, fewer than 1,000 trucks of aid entered Gaza instead of the roughly 6,600 called for by the agreement. Between Oct. 10 and 21, 99 requests from international NGOs and six from UN agencies to deliver supplies were rejected. That stopped tents, tarps, blankets, food, medicines and children’s clothing from reaching people who desperately need them.
From Deir Al-Balah, Bahaa Zaqout of the Palestinian nonprofit PARC said that commercial food arriving at markets is too expensive and doesn’t meet the minimum nutritional needs for children, women and other vulnerable groups. He added that more than 90 percent of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, so most families are in temporary shelters that are in poor condition, and with winter coming, deliveries of tents and tarpaulins are being blocked.
“The situation in the Gaza Strip remains catastrophic,” he said. “Even two weeks after the ceasefire began, critical items are still banned from entering Gaza.”
Jamil Sawalmeh, country director for ActionAid Palestine, said the siege and obstruction of aid continue despite the ceasefire and are costing lives. He urged the international community to press for all humanitarian aid and heavy machinery to clear rubble so aid can reach blocked areas.
“How can it be that even with a ceasefire agreement, bringing in toothbrushes or cooking pots or coloring books is still an uphill battle for groups that have worked here for decades?” he asked.
Forty-one organizations have called on the authorities to honor the commitments under the ceasefire and international law by allowing aid into Gaza. They warned that the restrictions are depriving Palestinians of life-saving assistance and undermining coordinated relief efforts.
The World Health Organization also said there has been little improvement in the volume of aid coming in since the ceasefire. The truce sought to stop a conflict that has caused immense loss of life and suffering; aid groups and residents are pleading for full humanitarian access so civilians can get food, water, shelter and medical care.
May Allah grant relief to the people of Gaza and guide those able to help to act swiftly.
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