New York:Fifty-three countries and organizations have appealed to the Israeli government to facilitate the rapid and unobstructed delivery of humanitarian assistance throughout the Gaza Strip via all available border crossings and land routes.
According to Palestine news & Information Agency – WAFA – English, the joint statement was delivered by Britain's Permanent Representative to the United Nations during a press conference outside the UN Security Council on Thursday. The statement urged Israel to allow the entry of additional essential supplies, including dual-use items crucial for shelter, fuel, water, sanitation, and healthcare, to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian and health situation in Gaza.
The statement also called for Israel to permit patients and injured Palestinians from Gaza who cannot receive adequate treatment in the territory to access hospitals in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Additionally, it urged the reopening of border crossings into Gaza and emphasized the protection of healthcare workers, medical facilities, and medical transportation in accordance with international humanitarian law.
The 53 signatories demanded transparent and expedited investigations into Israeli attacks targeting healthcare and humanitarian workers. They also called for the allowance of international high-level delegations and journalists into Gaza. The joint statement highlighted that the comprehensive plan endorsed by the UN Security Council under Resolution 2803, which provides for the immediate entry of full humanitarian aid at levels no lower than those agreed upon on January 19, 2025, has yet to be implemented.
Despite the ceasefire, the statement warned that numerous Palestinians in Gaza remain without adequate shelter as winter approaches, which exposes them to hypothermia, respiratory infections, waterborne diseases, and other preventable illnesses. The countries emphasized that restrictions on the entry of essential shelter materials and other life-saving supplies continue to hinder humanitarian organizations from delivering needed assistance at the required scale.
The signatories reaffirmed their commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza, including urgent winter preparedness measures involving the provision of shelter, water, sanitation supplies, and medical assistance to alleviate suffering and reduce public health risks. They also pledged support for the Palestinian Authority, in collaboration with the United Nations and other humanitarian partners, in restoring essential healthcare services and rehabilitating Gaza's health infrastructure.