UN aid chief criticises delays in Gaza relief and rejects waiting for Israel to form government

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher has strongly criticized the delays in delivering crucial winter supplies to Gaza, rejecting the notion that waiting for the formation of a new Israeli government is a valid reason to hold up aid. In a recent statement, Mr. Fletcher emphasized that foreign ministers and partners have assured him of support, but they also repeatedly stated that progress would be challenging until after the Israeli elections.

He reiterated that this delay is not an acceptable excuse under international humanitarian law, as affirmed by the international community and the Board of Peace.

The Board of Peace, responsible for overseeing the U.S. President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, recently urged Israel to permit essential aid to enter the territory following heavy rains that caused significant flooding. The humanitarian organization called upon the Israeli government to authorize the entry of materials needed for temporary shelter, water and sanitation infrastructure, waste management, drainage, and sewage removal. This call aligns with the commitments outlined in the Sharm El Sheikh Humanitarian Protocol.

Mr. Fletcher highlighted that the UN has been warning about the urgent need to deliver winter supplies to Gaza for months, including durable shelter materials, warm clothing, blankets, bedding, and safe heating solutions. He warned that ongoing delays, blockages, and funding cuts are putting the population in severe risk, especially as harsh weather threatens those without adequate shelter for a fourth consecutive winter since the war began in October 2023.

In response to the Board of Peace's call, the Israeli government stated its commitment to President Trump's peace plan but blamed the militant group Hamas for hindering progress in its implementation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office clarified that Hamas, responsible for triggering the war with an attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people on October 7, 2023, would use "every dual-use item" to enhance its military capabilities.

Aid and humanitarian groups have long criticized Israel's arbitrary classification of "dual-use" items, which includes items like torches, wheelchairs, tarpaulins, tent poles, and toilets, as their restriction exacerbates the suffering of Gaza's civilians.

The Israeli military agency responsible for coordinating aid, Cogat, claimed to have allowed thousands of aid lorries into Gaza. However, UN figures indicate a decline in the entry of assistance since January. On Saturday, Gaza's media office reported that 70,000 tents had been flooded, affecting tens of thousands of displaced individuals, some of whom were injured.

Despite a truce in place, direct Israeli attacks in Gaza have continued. Health officials report that at least 1,600 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks since the ceasefire agreement in October 2023, bringing the total death toll in Gaza to over 74,600 since the war's commencement.