UN, aid groups warn Gaza operations at risk of collapse
The United Nations and aid groups have warned that humanitarian operations in the Palestinian territories, particularly Gaza, risk collapsing if Israel does not remove hurdles that include an “ambiguous, arbitrary and highly politicized” registration process.
Dozens of international aid groups will face deregistration by December 31, meaning they will have to close their activities within 60 days, the UN and more than 200 local and international aid groups said in a joint statement.
“Deregistering INGOs (international aid groups) in Gaza would have a catastrophic impact on access to basic and essential services,” the statement said. The statement was included.
“INGOs manage or support the majority of field hospitals, primary health centres, emergency shelter responses, water and sanitation services, nutritional stabilization centers for children with acute malnutrition, and critical mine action activities,” he said.
The statement said that although some international aid groups were registered in the system, which launched in March, “the ongoing re-registration process and other arbitrary obstacles to humanitarian operations have resulted in millions of dollars’ worth of essential supplies, including food, medical supplies, hygiene items and shelter assistance, remaining outside Gaza and unable to reach people in need.”
Israel’s mission to the United Nations in New York did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the statement.
A fragile ceasefire in the two-year war between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas began on October 10, as part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. Hamas released hostages, Israel released detained Palestinians and more aid began flowing into the region, which the global hunger watchdog said in August was hit by famine.
However, Hamas says fewer aid trucks have entered Gaza than agreed. Aid organizations say the aid is far less than needed and that Israel has prevented many necessary supplies from arriving. Israel denies this and says it is complying with its obligations under the ceasefire.
“The UN will not be able to compensate for the collapse of its operations if INGOs are deregistered, and humanitarian intervention cannot be replaced by alternative actors operating outside established humanitarian principles,” the UN and aid groups said in a statement. The statement was included.
The statement emphasized that “access to humanitarian aid is not optional, conditional or political” and added: “Life-saving aid must be allowed to reach Palestinians without further delay.”
