Israel must end ‘cruel collective punishment’ in Gaza, urges UN relief chief

The UN’s top humanitarian official on Thursday issued a stark warning over the continuing blockade of aid into Gaza, calling on Israel to lift restrictions that have left civilians without food, medical care, and hope.

In a powerful statement on Thursday, Tom Fletcher, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, condemned Israel’s decision to halt humanitarian assistance as a “cruel collective punishment” of the Palestinian population.

“Two months ago, the Israeli authorities took a deliberate decision to block all aid to Gaza and halt our efforts to save survivors of their military offensive,” said Mr Fletcher. “They have been bracingly honest that this policy is to pressurise Hamas.”

‘Blocking aid kills’

While reaffirming the urgent need for the release of hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October 2023 – who “should never have been taken from their families,” – the UN relief chief stressed that “international law is unequivocal: As the occupying power, Israel must allow humanitarian support in.”

“Aid, and the civilian lives it saves, should never be a bargaining chip,” he added. “Blocking aid kills.”

Mr Fletcher warned that the aid blockade “starves civilians”, denies them basic medical services, and “strips them of dignity and hope.”

He underscored the neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian efforts, adding: “We believe that all civilians are equally worthy of protection. We remain ready to save as many lives as we can, despite the risks.”

Let us save lives

However, the latest delivery mechanism proposed by Israel, he said, “does not meet the minimum bar for principled humanitarian support.”

“To the Israeli authorities, and those who can still reason with them, we say again: lift this brutal blockade. Let humanitarians save lives,” he pleaded.

Addressing civilians in Gaza, Mr Fletcher said: “No apology can suffice… But I am truly sorry that we are unable to move the international community to prevent this injustice. We won’t give up.”

Escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza and West Bank

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to worsen, with recent strikes reportedly hitting residential areas and tents sheltering displaced families, particularly in Rafah and eastern Gaza City, the UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said on Thursday in New York.

More than 423,000 people have been displaced again, with no safe place left to go, according to UN humanitarian partners.

The UN also warns of growing insecurity for aid operations, as looting and attacks on convoys rise due to the scarcity of goods. 

Two such incidents occurred in Gaza City on Monday, threatening the safety of aid workers and disrupting vital assistance for civilians.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and partners report severe shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment. 

Cases of acute watery diarrhoea have increased by four per cent in recent weeks, driven by deteriorating hygiene conditions and rising temperatures.

Access to desperately needed fuel remains restricted, with eight out of nine UN attempts to retrieve existing supplies denied by Israeli authorities since mid-April.

In the West Bank, 100 days since the Israeli military operation in the north began, around 40,000 Palestinians remain displaced, unable to return home. The UN and partners are providing food, water, sanitation, health services, psycho-social support and cash assistance, reaching nearly 7,000 families to date.