A UN official in Gaza has warned that despite the increase in humanitarian deliveries, the rebuilding process in the devastated Palestinian territory will take a significant amount of time. Sam Rose, acting director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (Unrwa) in Gaza, emphasized the need to not only focus on providing food and healthcare but also on rebuilding individuals, families, and communities.
Since the ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas, aid lorries have been crossing into Gaza, bringing much-needed supplies like food, tents, blankets, and clothes. The ceasefire deal includes allowing a specific number of aid lorries, including those carrying fuel, to enter Gaza daily for the first six weeks. This period also involves the release of Israeli hostages by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
While there is optimism about the increase in aid volume, Mr. Rose highlighted the long process of rehabilitation and rebuilding ahead for Gaza’s traumatized population. The World Health Organization has a 60-day plan to address urgent health needs in Gaza, including repairing hospitals, setting up temporary clinics, and addressing malnutrition and disease outbreaks.
Despite the challenges, UN officials are working to meet the staggering humanitarian needs in Gaza, where the population has faced displacement, destruction of infrastructure, and severe shortages of essential supplies. The situation is further complicated by looming Israeli bans that could hinder humanitarian operations in Gaza. La agencia ha despedido a nueve empleados que una investigación de la ONU encontró que podrían haber estado involucrados e insistió en que está comprometida con la neutralidad.
La ONU ha dicho que Unrwa es insustituible en Gaza mientras que el comisionado general de la agencia, Philippe Lazzarini, ha declarado que sus miles de empleados palestinos en Gaza “se quedarán y entregarán” si el gobierno israelí aplica las dos leyes, aunque “vendría con un considerable riesgo personal” para ellos.