UN Security Council discusses humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip

NEW YORK: The UN Security Council held on Monday a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian question, including humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip. The UNSC was briefed by Sigrid Kaag, Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, on the implementation of Security Council Resolution 2720. Kaag called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and continued and unhindered humanitarian access to civilians. He emphasized that effective delivery of aid at the scale required will not be possible without political will, security guarantees and an enabling environment. The representative of the Russian Federation called the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian enclave horrific and said that the reason for this is the ongoing Israeli military operation, which Israel has been carrying out without any regard for international humanitarian law or resolutions and decisions of the Security Council. 'Such arrogance emanates from the unconditional support for an y of its actions by the United States, which has for nearly a year now been blocking any hint of a substantive reaction,' he said. He stressed that if this situation continues, then these developments may result in the cessation of United Nations operations in Gaza, and in this case, more than 2 million Palestinians will face death. Humanitarian workers are powerless and defenseless in the face of Israeli strikes, he added. Meanwhile, the Algerian delegate called for the need to face the bitter reality and to deliver aid to the population of the Gaza Strip. Algeria stressed that an unconditional ceasefire must be inevitable, praising the role of UNRWA. The Algerian delegate continued: "We have many challenges ahead and we must work to ensure the return of stability to Gaza and comprehensive and well-coordinated reconstruction plans, stressing the need to work tirelessly to reach a ceasefire and work for a more prosperous future. Source: Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA