The United Nations (UN) Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine Muhannad Hadi called on Friday, 28 July 2024 to reopen the Rafah Crossing to evacuate Palestinian patients trapped in Gaza.
Tens of Thousands of patients in the blockaded Strip need immediate evacuation to receive treatment abroad Hadi noted during a speech at a briefing session held by the UN Security Council at the request of Algeria, China, and Russia to discuss the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
“There is a need to reopen the Rafah Crossing to evacuate patients from Gaza and facilitate the entry of individuals, goods, and fuel into the Strip.”, Hadi stressed.
He pointed out in this regard that tens of thousands of patients in Gaza need “immediate medical evacuation” and urged not to impose any restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
It is worth noting that Israeli occupation closed the Rafah Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip since its troops took control of it on 7 May, depriving patients and wounded Palestinians of the ability to travel abroad for treatment.
Additionally, the Israeli military severely restricts humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, which has resulted in a severe shortage of food and medical supplies, particularly in the northern parts of the Strip.
Hadi warned that the assaults on the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) are dangerous and called them “unacceptable”, adding that the agency is responsible for providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Israel has retaliated sharply against UNRWA, alleging that its staff members were involved in the Al-Aqsa Flood attacks, coinciding with its war on Gaza.
UNRWA refutes Israel’s allegations against it, affirming its dedication to impartiality and its singular focus on assisting refugees.
Israel restricted UNRWA’s operations in the Palestinian territories as part of its attack on the organization, particularly in Gaza where it destroyed numerous buildings and murdered numerous staff members.
Regarding other aspects of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, Hadi mentioned that 625,000 Palestinian children have been deprived of an entire school year due to the war in Gaza and that children in Gaza run the risk of developing serious diseases as a result of sewage and waste.
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