Although a ceasefire has been implemented in Gaza, United Nations officials have reported significant difficulties scaling up humanitarian aid operations due to Israeli restrictions and damaged infrastructure. OCHA noted that while aid convoys have entered Gaza in sufficient quantity to meet immediate population needs.
Logistical Challenges in Aid Delivery
OCHA reported that aid convoys have been forced by Israeli authorities to follow rerouting orders that require them to travel through the Philadelphi Corridor near Egypt’s border before moving north along Coastal Road which has been described as “narrow, damaged, and congested,” remaining slow even after repairs by World Food Program were implemented. Additional crossings or internal routes must urgently be established in order to increase collections and response efforts
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Aid operations have been limited in Gaza due to an acute humanitarian crisis there. Residents continue to face shortages of essential supplies – food, water, medical resources – while over 600k people face catastrophic food insecurity caused by collapsed water and sewerage systems, spreading disease among children and the elderly alike. According to WHO warnings that healthcare system in Gaza was on life support; hospitals lacked essential equipment and supplies. Over 600k are suffering catastrophic food insecurity while collapsed water/sewage systems led to widespread disease among both children and the elderly Reuters reports on these constraints in aid operations in Gaza.
Violence in the West Bank In addition to Gaza, violence continues in the occupied West Bank. UN humanitarian coordinator Ramiz Alakbarov made a visit to Ramallah area earlier this month in order to assess Palestinian farmer difficulties associated with olive harvesting. Since September 1st 126 settler attacks related to olive harvest have caused casualties or damages across 70 villages; as well as injuring 124 Palestinians while vandalizing over 4,000 olive trees (WAFA Agency).
International Legal Perspectives (ILPs)
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issued an advisory opinion last Friday instructing Israel to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza after finding that Israel’s restrictions violate international law over the last two years. According to the ICJ’s analysis, Israel breached UN Charter and Geneva Convention obligations by blocking UN aid and targeting UN premises; additionally it must cooperate with UN agencies in providing essential goods and services like food, fuel, medicine and shelter as part of its obligation.
The Guardian reports.
Conclusion
The United Nations continues to advocate for enhanced access and additional routes that facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to those impacted by recent conflicts in Gaza. Without significant improvements to aid delivery scale and efficiency, Gaza could suffer an escalation in human suffering that has devastating repercussions for civilian populations.