GAZA – Israel has stated its preparedness to establish humanitarian corridors to facilitate the transport of aid via United Nations convoys into the Gaza Strip. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also announced on Saturday that it would permit the resumption of humanitarian aid air-drops, with initial deliveries consisting of seven pallets of flour, sugar, and canned food provided by international organisations.
This announcement follows mounting international pressure on Israel to allow more aid into the besieged enclave, where aid organisations have warned of mass starvation and reports of deaths due to hunger.
The IDF stated it has “begun a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in the Gaza Strip,” and is “prepared to implement humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas.” It explicitly denied what it termed “the false claim of deliberate starvation in the Gaza Strip,” despite increasing evidence and warnings from aid groups. The IDF also confirmed it had resumed supplying power to a desalination plant in Gaza, which it said would “serve about 900,000 residents in the area.”
However, the UN, various aid groups, and some of Israel’s allies have attributed the deepening humanitarian crisis to Israel’s restrictions, calling for the unrestricted entry and delivery of aid into Gaza. The IDF, in its statement, asserted that the responsibility for food distribution to the Gaza population “lies with the UN and international aid organisations,” adding that these organisations must “ensure that the aid does not reach Hamas.”
Israel had imposed a complete cut-off of supplies to Gaza from the beginning of March, resuming aid with new restrictions in May. It maintains that it has allowed sufficient food into Gaza during the conflict and blames Hamas for the suffering of civilians.
Meanwhile, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reported on Saturday that more than 125 people have died due to malnutrition, including 85 children, since the war began.
Add Comment