As Ramadan begins, the violence in Gaza continues, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urging for a ceasefire to honor the spirit of the holy month and ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid. He calls for the immediate release of all remaining hostages taken during Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel in October. The ongoing Israeli onslaught in Gaza, now in its sixth month, has led to a catastrophic situation that requires urgent action.
There has been a significant lapse in aid delivery to northern Gaza, with the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) pointing out that people in the region are becoming increasingly anxious. The lack of humanitarian assistance has placed a heavy burden on the population, and there is a pressing need for aid to be delivered promptly. Efforts are being made to open a safe maritime corridor to Gaza, with a NGO ship carrying essential supplies waiting to set sail from Cyprus to provide relief to those in need.
The international community, including the European Commission, United Arab Emirates, United States, and United Kingdom, in coordination with the UN, are working towards establishing a safe maritime corridor to Gaza. The NGO vessel Open Arms, carrying around 200 tonnes of food, is currently anchored at Larnaca in Cyprus, awaiting permission to dock from Israeli authorities. Additionally, the Cypriot Government has acknowledged US President Joe Biden’s plan to build a temporary pier off Gaza’s coastline to facilitate aid delivery, although completion is estimated to take at least two months.
The situation in northern Gaza remains critical, with nearly 300,000 individuals cut off from humanitarian relief due to insecurity and access refusals by Israeli authorities. The UN World Health Organization (WHO) has managed to reach two hospitals in the region with essential supplies, including trauma items and fuel. However, medical teams are facing challenges due to the lack of resources and ongoing violence, highlighting the urgent need for a ceasefire to ensure the delivery of aid and medical assistance.
In light of the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UN chief and various humanitarian agencies are calling for an immediate ceasefire to halt the bloodshed and ensure the delivery of lifesaving aid. The ongoing conflict has led to a dire situation in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands are in urgent need of assistance. Efforts are being made to establish a safe maritime corridor to facilitate aid delivery, with international partners working in coordination with the UN to address the pressing humanitarian needs in the region.
