DaysofPal— The spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Jonathan Fowler, warned that ending the escalating humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip requires opening all border crossings without restrictions to allow the entry of aid, with the Rafah crossing with Egypt being a top priority.
In an interview with Anadolu Agency, Fowler stressed that allowing only the movement of individuals through Rafah, without permitting humanitarian assistance, does not change the deteriorating humanitarian reality in Gaza.
He explained that UNRWA aid for Gaza remains stalled in Egypt and Jordan, as the Israeli occupation has prevented its entry into the Strip since March 2025.
Fowler emphasized that partial access for individuals alone does not alleviate Gaza’s severe humanitarian suffering, as the blockade of aid remains a central reason for the ongoing crisis.
Fowler noted that the humanitarian situation in Gaza improved only slightly during the summer of 2025, describing it as extremely limited compared to the height of the disaster.
He added that while some humanitarian and commercial goods have entered Gaza, these supplies are insufficient to compensate for the extensive destruction caused by the ongoing crisis.
“The manifestations of tragedy remain stark,” Fowler said, highlighting that children continue to suffer from hunger, medical supplies remain inadequate, diseases are spreading, water and sanitation systems are failing, and there is a severe shortage of shelter materials.
Thousands of families are living in damaged buildings, enduring freezing temperatures, and using makeshift plastic sheets for protection against rain, with the constant threat of collapse.
Fowler described the allowance of only 200 trucks of aid as “a shocking number,” noting that 600 trucks per day are the minimum required to sustain the population.
Any lower figure, he said, effectively prolongs the crisis, especially with restrictions on the types of aid and limited operating hours at crossings.
He concluded that partial openings for individuals are insufficient and called for all crossings to be opened for humanitarian aid without exception.
Fowler also warned against restrictions imposed on civil society organizations, suggesting that such measures aim to limit humanitarian work to select entities willing to overlook violations.
Finally, he stressed that adherence to humanitarian principles, particularly respect for international humanitarian law, must remain non-negotiable.
Shortlink for this post: https://daysofpalestine.ps/?p=71987
