DaysofPal- In a virtual conference, Georgios Petropoulos, the head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) sub-office in Gaza, condemned the weaponization of the aid system in Gaza, which he attributed to Israel’s ongoing blockade and military actions.
Petropoulos has described the enclave as “the most dangerous place on earth right now,” highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis faced by its residents.
The UN official emphasized that Israel’s systematic obstruction of humanitarian aid has significantly hindered the delivery of essential supplies to the people in need in Gaza.
“Dying hungry and in pain” is an increasingly likely outcome for children, mothers, aid workers, and teachers alike, he said.
“Should I let people die of starvation or the cold? Do we bring in more food to ease hunger or more plastic sheets for shelter?” said Petropoulos. “Famine is very likely already here.”
The entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza is severely restricted, with the Kerem Shalom Crossing being the only major entry point. However, even when aid enters, it often does not reach the intended recipients due to safety and security concerns. The mixing of commercial goods with critical humanitarian aid obscures the real picture of assistance reaching those in crisis.
“When we raise these things with Israeli authorities, they reject virtually every single practical solution that we table,” Petropoulos said, adding that “the aid system has been weaponised.”
The restrictions have led to severe shortages of food supplies, with over a million people in southern and central Gaza not receiving food rations in August. The food security response is further jeopardized due to the lack of sufficient food stocks and the inability to distribute aid effectively.
The UN official urged for immediate action to improve the flow of humanitarian aid and access conditions in Gaza. The statement emphasized the need for a secure environment for aid workers to operate and for the protection of humanitarian supplies from looting and other threats.
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