The war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East has brought the region to the brink of an abyss, warns Philippe Lazzarini, the commissioner-general of UN relief agency UNRWA. The violence has the potential to spill over across the region, leading to dire consequences for civilians. Lazzarini appeals for humanitarian aid corridors to be established in Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the people. However, he also emphasizes the need for aid to be uninterrupted, predictable, and meaningful, in order to make a real impact.
Lazzarini condemns Hamas’s attack on Israel, referring to it as a horrific and barbaric massacre. While acknowledging the trauma experienced by Israelis, he stresses that it does not justify conducting the war without any restraint. The UNRWA chief urges all parties involved to respect international humanitarian law and refrain from killing more civilians. He points out that the total siege imposed in the Gaza Strip and the displacement of over a million people amount to collective punishment, which is a violation of international humanitarian law.
The growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deeply concerning. 2.2 million Palestinians, half of whom have been displaced, are lacking basic necessities such as water. The dire conditions are further exacerbated by the limited access to sanitation facilities and inadequate living conditions. Lazzarini warns that if the water scarcity worsens, the ongoing disaster will escalate. The UN has issued warnings about a potential humanitarian catastrophe if aid cannot reach Gaza.
The amount of aid required is uncertain, as the situation on the ground remains volatile. Prior to the recent attack, around 500 trucks a day transported aid, fuel, and other goods into Gaza. However, it is now unclear how much aid is needed and what will be allowed to enter. Lazzarini estimates that at least 100 trucks a day will be required to meet the needs of Gazans. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has pledged not to impede supplies going from Egypt to the civilian population in southern Gaza. Nevertheless, no aid has yet crossed into the territory via the Rafah crossing from Egypt.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed readiness to deliver supplies as soon as the Rafah crossing opens. The director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, hopes that this will occur in the near future. The ongoing violence has left Palestinians feeling abandoned by the international community, as they struggle with daily losses and the need to ensure their own survival. The feeling of abandonment should not be underestimated, as it further compounds the suffering of the affected population.
In summary, the situation in the Middle East is reaching a critical point. The war between Israel and Hamas not only poses a threat to the region but also highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza. The international community must rally together to establish uninterrupted aid corridors and respect international humanitarian law. Failure to act swiftly could lead to a catastrophic outcome for the people of Gaza.
