UN, partners urge Israel to lift restrictions on aid into Gaza

The United Nations and its humanitarian allies have urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid deliveries to Gaza, highlighting the devastating impact of recent rainstorms. These storms have claimed the lives of both children and adults, destroyed shelters, and flooded thousands of family tents. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that over 150,000 tents remain outside Gaza, prepared for deployment, but are unable to reach their destinations due to ongoing restrictions on supplies and access.

In a statement, the Humanitarian Country Team, which includes UN agencies and humanitarian organizations operating in the occupied Palestinian territory, emphasized that the damage caused by the rainstorms was avoidable. They presented a winter preparedness plan months ago, but restrictions on supplies and access, combined with funding shortfalls, have impeded its implementation.

The team has called on Israel to remove these restrictions, allowing for repairs to water and wastewater networks, and for all humanitarian partners to conduct their operations. This appeal came after Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher warned that delays, restrictions, and funding cuts were endangering lives. The Humanitarian Country Team also urged member states to utilize their influence to remove obstacles to aid deliveries and provide the urgently needed funding.

Currently, more than 150,000 tents stand outside Gaza, ready to be sent, but the restrictions on supplies and access continue to hinder winter preparations.