Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power several times
world4 days ago
Tonnes of life-saving aid are being sent to Gaza but are not getting to the intended recipients.
Khaleej Times recently spotted thousands of humanitarian relief trucks – with the Pakistani, Indonesian and Egyptian flags – from Al Arish up to the Rafah border. Trucks from UNICEF, Red Cross and World Health Organisation are stranded at the border.
Rafah remains the sole crossing point to Palestine. Speaking to Khaleej Times, MKR, an Egyptian resident in Rafah City, said: “The UAE’s warehouse, alongside UNRWA’s (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East), are the only ones in Rafah. They are the only ones that get through the border. We are sad to see trucks from other nations and organisations waiting months to enter.”
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Food is available but not accessible. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini earlier said he has “never seen the Palestinian people experiencing hunger of this kind since the start of the Israeli siege.”
“I saw it with my eyes that people in Rafah have started to decide to help themselves directly from the truck out of total despair and eat what they have taken out of the truck on the spot,” he added.
Humanitarian aid refers to the immediate response during political, medical, or military crises. As per international law, providing humanitarian assistance in war-torn areas is non-negotiable. The Geneva Convention and global humanitarian law mandate that states allow swift and unhindered delivery of humanitarian relief. But this is not happening in Gaza.
Wissam, one of the Palestinian evacuees in the UAE, told Khaleej Times: “It is saddening to see numerous trucks and planes stuck in the border crossing. If all this aid would get in, our medical and hunger problems in Gaza will be alleviated."
Human rights advocates have repeatedly voiced the urgent need to open borders. Members of the UN Security Council, including the UAE, have been calling Israel to abide by the UN charter and international law. UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had previously underscored the opening of all humanitarian relief corridors and the immediate, safe, sustainable, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid.
Now, the war in Gaza continues, and the death toll has gone past 22,000 people.
ALSO READ:
Since the beginning of the conflict, the Security Council has struggled to speak with one voice, as the United States used its veto power several times
world4 days ago
Super Heavy unexpectedly splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico instead of returning to land
world5 days ago
The 19-year-old dreamt of competing abroad, and said she wanted to be like Ronaldo and Messi
world5 days ago
Hochstein's mission marks a last-ditch attempt by the outgoing US administration to clinch a ceasefire as diplomacy to end the Gaza war appears totally adrift
world5 days ago
This will be his first visit since the beginning of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia around three years ago
world5 days ago
The changes state that any conventional attack on Russia, aided by a nuclear power, could be considered to be a joint attack
world5 days ago
The country launched a probe in March 2021 into WhatsApp's privacy policy, which allowed data sharing with Facebook and its units, sparking global backlash
world6 days ago
This time around, Trump wants the Senate to give up that gatekeeping role and allow him to make 'recess appointments'
world6 days ago