UNITED NATIONS — UN humanitarians said that they and partners are mobilising
supplies for a widening pipeline of aid and commercial goods into Gaza with the
implementation of a long-sought, impending ceasefire.
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- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) said that humanitarians are also exploring ways to expand the
delivery of cash to those in need so that they do not have to depend entirely
on aid and can take advantage of commercial goods when available. Relief
organisations aim to reach hundreds of thousands of people with basic shelters,
provided they can access the supplies needed, Xinhua news agency reported.
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- The World Health Organization (WHO) reported a mission
reached the fuel-strapped Al-Awda Hospital in North Gaza governorate on
Wednesday. The team delivered 5,000 liters of fuel, food parcels, bottled
water, winter clothes and vaccines. Two patients in critical condition and
their companions were prepared to move to Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
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- WHO said 33 patients and about 30 of their companions
remain in Al-Awda Hospital, with a dozen doctors, two dozen nurses and 16
administrative staff. Access to the hospital remains extremely challenging and
risky for patients.
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- The health agency said that during the mission, "a
bullet struck an ambulance belonging to the Palestine Red Crescent Society.
Thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, the incident underscores the
importance of the ceasefire in ensuring the ability to safely access
civilians."
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- Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN relief
agency for Palestinians (UNRWA), briefed the Security Council in a closed
session, but later met reporters. He called for full implementation of the
cessation of hostilities scheduled for Sunday.
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- UNRWA is facing significant challenges with the deaths of
more than 200 of its workers in the 15 months of the Gaza conflict and Israel's
threat to close it down at month's end with the allegation that the agency is
infiltrated with members of Hamas.
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- "We need rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted
humanitarian access to respond to the tremendous suffering in Gaza," he
said. "We are ready to support the recovery of Gaza by resuming education
and continuing to provide primary healthcare."
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- Lazzarini said full implementation of the Israeli
legislation to throttle UNRWA "will be catastrophic," massively
weakening the humanitarian response and worsening living conditions.
