“Lift the restrictions on what and how much aid we can bring in,” demanded UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher on Wednesday, as he condemned the “horrifying scenes” of Gazans being killed while seeking food aid. His plea for an end to aid limitations highlights the critical need for a comprehensive and unimpeded flow of humanitarian supplies into the besieged Gaza Strip.
The urgency of lifting restrictions is underscored by the temporary closure of facilities operated by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). This decision followed a string of deadly incidents near its distribution centers, including the tragic killing of 27 people in southern Gaza on Tuesday. The Israeli army has also designated roads to these centers as “combat zones.”
Fletcher unequivocally stated that the civilian deaths are the “outcome of a series of deliberate choices that have systematically deprived two million people of the essentials they need to survive.” He highlighted the overwhelming burden on emergency medical teams and the systemic nature of the crisis.
Echoing UN chief Antonio Guterres, Fletcher demanded immediate independent investigations and accountability. He further called for the opening of “all” crossings and the implementation of a ceasefire to enable the UN to deliver critical assistance at scale and prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.