The United Nations’ humanitarian relief chief has called on Israel to fully open all entry points to Gaza in order to facilitate a significant increase in aid delivery to the region. Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief, made this plea during an interview with CBC News from El-Arish, Egypt, following his visit to the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza.
Expressing his emotional reaction to the situation, Fletcher highlighted the urgent need to expedite the flow of humanitarian assistance, emphasizing the necessity of having “thousands of trucks per week” transporting food, medicine, and other essential supplies into Gaza. While acknowledging that some aid has started entering Gaza through the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings in Israel, Fletcher stressed the importance of opening additional crossings like Rafah to ensure that civilians receive the necessary support without delay.
Israel has indicated its readiness to open the Rafah crossing for the movement of people but has not yet confirmed a timeline for allowing humanitarian aid to pass through. Despite previous conflicts and ongoing tensions, Fletcher remains hopeful for progress on this front in the days ahead.
Accompanied by Samer Abdeljaber, regional director for the World Food Program in Cairo, Fletcher reiterated the collective call for more crossings to be accessible to facilitate aid distribution within Gaza and ensure the safety and well-being of its residents. Despite recent aid deliveries, challenges persist in providing adequate medical care to Gaza’s population, with many still grappling with homelessness and limited access to essential services.
The urgent need for increased humanitarian support is underscored by the severe destruction caused by past conflicts, leaving Gaza in a state of devastation. As efforts continue to address the pressing needs of the population, aid organizations stress the importance of expanding access through all land crossings to Gaza to effectively alleviate suffering and kickstart the long process of rebuilding and reconstruction in the region.
