UN Security Council Holds Meeting on Humanitarian Conditions in Gaza

The United Nations Security Council held Tuesday a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, which focused on the difficult humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip as the Israeli aggression continues for nine months. "The war has not merely created a humanitarian crisis, it has unleashed a maelstrom of human misery. The health system has collapsed, schools destroyed and the disrupted education system threatens future generations," the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza Sigrid Kaag said on Tuesday. Over 1 million people have been displaced once again in Gaza, desperately seeking shelter and safety," she added. She voiced deep concerns about reports of new Israeli evacuation orders issued in the area of Khan Yunis in the south of the Gaza Strip, and their impact on the civilian population. A sustained flow of assistance to Gaza is needed to deliver quantity and quality of goods throughout all land and sea crossings, including Rafah, Kaag t old the Security Council. "Since the start of the Israeli military operation in Rafah, and the subsequent closure of the border crossing in early May, the volume of aid entering Gaza or being distributed has dropped significantly," Kaag added. She also called for the opening of additional crossings, especially to south Gaza, and consideration of movement of aid from north to south Gaza "While humanitarian assistance will be required for years to come, planning for early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza is essential," the UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator said. Source: Qatar News Agency