UN says 'Israel' blocked all Nov. life-saving aid bids in north Gaza
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The United Nations underlines that Israeli occupation forces either impeded or denied all life-saving aid bids in northern Gaza throughout November.
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Storm clouds loom over the tents occupied by displaced Palestinians on the beachfront in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, occupied Palestine, Tuesday, November 26, 2024. (AP)
The United Nations reported on Tuesday that the Israeli occupation had obstructed all UN efforts to deliver life-saving assistance to Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip throughout November.
"None of the UN's 41 attempts to reach Palestinians in besieged areas of North Gaza with life-saving assistance this month has been facilitated by Israeli authorities," stated UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq during a news conference.
Haq revealed that Israeli authorities denied 37 missions outright, while four were approved but then were impeded on the ground, achieving only partial success. With winter approaching, thousands of forcibly displaced Palestinians face worsening conditions, including health risks from sewage build-up in overcrowded areas.
Heavy rains have inundated displacement tents across the Gaza Strip, compounding the already dire conditions for Palestinians as Israeli attacks intensify.
The Palestinian Civil Defense warned on Monday that the arrival of winter is ushering in "a real humanitarian catastrophe." Thousands of forcibly displaced individuals have been severely impacted by flooding, prompting urgent calls for global intervention to deliver humanitarian aid to the struggling population.
Pleas for aid
The Gaza Government has reiterated its plea to the international community and humanitarian organizations to take swift action.
Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal highlighted the devastating impact of the recent rains, saying, "Rainfall has caused severe damage to tents housing thousands of displaced people, with water flowing inside the tents and damaging luggage and mattresses."
No UNRWA evacuations in West Bank
Haq dismissed reports suggesting the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is evacuating its facilities in the eastern part of occupied al-Quds. "UNRWA maintains its operations in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza," he affirmed, emphasizing that the agency remains committed to supporting Palestinian refugees despite growing obstacles.
This comes after "Israel" passed a law on October 28 prohibiting UNRWA from working in "Israel", further hindering its efforts to aid the Palestinians in the war-torn Gaza Strip.
The proposal upset the United Nations and some of "Israel's" Western allies who believe it would exacerbate the already grave humanitarian situation in Gaza, where "Israel" has ruthlessly and repeatedly bombed civilians for the last year.
In January, the Israeli occupation accused several UNRWA employees in Gaza of involvement in October 7's Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Subsequent investigations found some instances of "neutrality-related issues" and suggested that nine employees "may have been involved" in the incident, though no conclusive evidence supported the main Israeli allegations.
The UNRWA ban may have additional implications for agency staff, particularly in the West Bank, who could face challenges in moving through checkpoints and accessing eastern al-Quds or the occupied Palestinian territories, as they would lose the coordination privileges with Israeli authorities. Additionally, concerns have arisen over the renewal of visas and permits issued by the Israeli regime.
