The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynne Hastings, called on the Israeli occupation authorities to lift the entire "debilitating" closures they imposed on the Gaza Strip.
Hastings said in a statement issued today, Saturday, after her recent visit to the Gaza Strip: “Unfortunately, since the beginning of the escalation on May 10, the entry of goods through the Kerem Shalom crossing is still limited to foodstuffs, medical supplies, fuel and fodder, and in small quantities. of agricultural inputs, and other items defined in a narrow framework. The UN coordinator called on the Israeli occupation government to ease the restrictions it imposes on the movement of goods and people in and out of the Gaza Strip, in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1860 (2009) with the aim of eventually lifting them. "Without a return to the regular and predictable entry of goods into Gaza, the capacity of the United Nations and the ability of our partners to implement critical interventions is at risk, as are people´s livelihoods in Gaza and the basic services they provide," she explained. The coordinator stated that the United Nations "currently estimates that 250,000 people still lack access to regularly piped water, and another 185,000 depend on unsafe water sources or pay higher prices for bottled water." In her statement, she stressed, "It is not possible to meet humanitarian needs, including the resumption of basic water, health and sanitation services and the reconstruction of Gaza without the introduction of a wide range of supplies, including equipment and construction materials necessary to support restoration work and humanitarian activities," stressing that a sustainable solution is reached. The humanitarian crisis and the contribution to long-term stability can only be done by lifting the debilitating closures in their entirety.” She said: "Israel should fulfill the obligations dictated by international humanitarian law. Humanitarian aid is not dependent on conditions."
