Hamas-Israel conflict: UN relief agency in Gaza Strip nearly paralyzed due to lack of fuel

SGGPO November 16, 2023 12:47 PM

The United Nations Palestinian Refugee Agency (UNRWA) in the Gaza Strip has warned that its operations in the strip are on the brink of collapse.

Sharing on social network X on November 15, the agency's leader said that if fuel is only for trucks, it will not be able to save lives. The entire operation of UNRWA is on the verge of paralysis.

Đoàn xe chở hàng viện trợ vào Dải Gaza, ngày 21-10. Ảnh: TTXVN

Aid convoy enters Gaza Strip, October 21. Photo: VNA

The official said the fuel recently delivered from Egypt to the Gaza Strip only meets 9% of the agency's daily needs to maintain its life-saving operations. UNRWA called for an end to the "weaponization" of fuel and for more fuel to be supplied to the Gaza Strip.

Earlier in the day, a fuel truck was allowed to pass through the Rafah border crossing on the Egyptian side of the border into the Gaza Strip for the first time since the conflict began. The fuel was being transferred to the UN agency to facilitate the transport of relief supplies into the strip. The truck was allowed to enter the Gaza Strip without undergoing inspection by Israeli forces.

* Earlier the same day, UN Under-Secretary-General for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths called on the Israeli government to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through the Kerem Shalom crossing as part of a 10-point plan to meet people's needs.

“Israel should allow us to cross the Kerem Shalom border crossing. It is important to remember that the Kerem Shalom border crossing was used to transport more than 60% of the trucks entering the Gaza Strip before the current conflict,” Martin Griffiths urged.

* Also due to the fuel shortage, on November 15, the telecommunications company Paltel announced that all communications and internet services across this entire strip of land could be interrupted in the next few hours.

* On November 15, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire for humanitarian purposes in the Gaza Strip.

Specifically, Resolution 2712 calls for a ceasefire and the establishment of an emergency and expanded humanitarian corridor across the Gaza Strip “for a sufficient number of days” to facilitate full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access.

Toàn cảnh phiên bỏ phiếu phê chuẩn nghị quyết kêu gọi ngừng bắn nhân đạo tại Dải Gaza của Hội đồng Bảo an Liên hợp quốc ở New York, Mỹ (ngày 15-11-2023). Ảnh: TTXVN

Panorama of the UN Security Council voting session to approve a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in New York, USA (November 15, 2023). Photo: VNA

The resolution stresses the need to facilitate the continuous, adequate and uninterrupted supply of essential goods and services throughout Gaza, including water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies, as well as the urgent repair of essential infrastructure.

Trẻ em tại trại tị nạn tạm ở thành phố Khan Younis, miền Nam Dải Gaza, ngày 15-11. Ảnh: TTXVN

Children at a temporary refugee camp in Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip, November 15. Photo: VNA

According to the resolution, the ceasefire is also to facilitate emergency rescue and recovery efforts, including the search for missing children in damaged or destroyed buildings, as well as the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers.

Bệnh nhân đang được điều trị tại Bệnh viện Al-Shifa ở Dải Gaza, ngày 10-11. Ảnh: TTXVN

A patient is being treated at Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip, November 10. Photo: VNA

The resolution, drafted by Malta, was supported by 12 of the 15 members of the UN Security Council. The UK, Russia and the US abstained. The resolution also demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians, especially children.

Tòa nhà bị phá hủy sau vụ oanh tạc của Israel xuống thành phố Khan Younis, miền Nam Dải Gaza, ngày 15-11. Ảnh: TTXVN

A building destroyed after an Israeli bombardment of Khan Younis city, southern Gaza Strip, on November 15. Photo: VNA

In addition, the UNSC resolution also called for the unconditional release of hostages being held in Gaza. However, this is a resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire for humanitarian purposes and the document does not mention a ceasefire or a long-term ceasefire.

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