UN calls for Israel-Gaza ceasefire: ‘meaningful and uninterrupted’ aid urgently needed
- Current aid system is failing, according to commissioner general for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees
- Humanitarian crisis has been triggered after three weeks of Israeli pounding the area following Hamas attacks
The United Nations said on Friday that “uninterrupted” aid was needed in Gaza after nearly three weeks of Israeli bombardment in retaliation for Hamas attacks this month that has triggered a humanitarian crisis in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner general for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, said “meaningful and uninterrupted” aid was needed for the Gaza Strip, calling the trickle of aid entering the area “crumbs”.
“The current system in place is geared to fail. What is needed is meaningful and uninterrupted aid flow. And to succeed, we need a humanitarian ceasefire to ensure this aid reaches those in need,” Lazzarini told reporters in Jerusalem during a press conference.
The commissioner also confirmed 57 of the agency’s staff had been killed during the war.
“At least 57 colleagues of mine are confirmed killed”, said Lazzarini. “Wonderful people who have just dedicated their lives to their communities”.
Lazzarini also weighed in on a controversy over the civilian death toll given by the Hamas-run health ministry in the territory, saying their figures had proven credible during past conflicts.
“In the past, the five, six cycles of conflict in the Gaza Strip, these figures were considered as credible and no one ever really challenged these figures,” he told reporters.