A “humanitarian ceasefire” is necessary so that aid can reach the 2.2 million people stuck in Gaza in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, demanded Martin Griffiths, Humanitarian and Humanitarian Affairs Coordinator, at the UN General Assembly this Friday. Emergency Relief Organization (OCHA).
“Call it what you will, but from a humanitarian perspective the requirement is simple: stop the fighting so that civilians can move safely,” the official said at a briefing on the situation in Gaza to the General Assembly.
On October 28, this body passed a resolution calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” in the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian movement Hamas.
“This must happen for as long as possible to enable unhindered humanitarian aid,” said Griffiths as he presented a ten-point plan.
“Give the people of Gaza a respite from the terrible, terrible things that have been imposed on them over the last few weeks,” he pleaded.
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He also called on Hamas to unconditionally release “all hostages” it captured in its “brutal, inhumane” attacks in Israel on October 7, which Israeli authorities said killed 1,200 people.
Since then, Israel’s military retaliation against the Gaza Strip has left more than 11,000 dead, most of them women and children, although the numbers may be much higher as they have not been updated in the past five days due to the breakdown of communications in the territory, said he.
Among the ten points called for by the United Nations, stand out a continuous flow of aid and more access points to the Gaza Strip, especially to Kerem Shalom, through which 60% of goods passed before the start of hostilities. Currently, Rafah on the border with Egypt is the only accessible crossing.
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He also called for fuel, which is essential to distribute humanitarian aid and keep “people alive.”
Other requirements include the creation of distribution centers, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian organizations, improved communications, safe areas for civilians, increased shelter for displaced people, and funds to finance this operation, estimated at about $1.2 billion becomes.
“We don’t ask for the moon. “We call for the essential measures necessary to meet the basic needs of civilians and slow the progression of this crisis,” Griffiths said.
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“As serious as the situation in Gaza is right now, it could get much worse,” he warned.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, said in turn that the “current Israeli proposal for the so-called security zone is not sustainable” because it is neither “safe nor viable for the number of people who need it.”
“Many civilians are unable to comply with Israeli forces’ orders and move elsewhere, given the threat of bombardment” of the areas where they live, he recalled.
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