Cairo, 23 October 2023 (TDI): Aid deliveries entering Gaza have not included fuel. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) faces an imminent crisis as its fuel reserves are set to be depleted within the next three days.
Expressing deep concern, UNRWA’s Commissioner General, Philippe Lazzarini, urgently called for immediate action to allow fuel supplies into Gaza.
He emphasized, “No fuel will further strangle the children, women, and people of Gaza,” highlighting the critical need for swift intervention to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
On October 22, the Rafah crossing with Egypt opened for the second day in a row, permitting 14 trucks loaded with essential supplies like food, water, and medical items to enter Gaza.
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This amounted to only three percent of the daily average volume of goods that used to flow into Gaza before the conflict.
Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths acknowledged this as a “small glimmer of hope” for the desperate millions relying on aid.
However, he stressed that much more assistance is urgently required to address their dire needs.
Approximately 1.4 million people have been displaced within Gaza, and nearly 580,000 of them are seeking refuge in 150 UNRWA-designated emergency shelters.
The situation is becoming increasingly dire due to overcrowding, with the average number of displaced persons per shelter exceeding their designated capacity by 2.5 times.
In the past 24 hours, intense airstrikes in Gaza resulted in the death of 266 Palestinians, bringing the total fatalities to 4,651, as reported by Gaza’s Ministry of Health. Shockingly, 62% of these casualties are children and women.
Additionally, over 1,000 Palestinians are missing and feared trapped or deceased under debris. Amidst this crisis, the Israeli military distributed leaflets warning residents who chose to remain, raising concerns about their association with a terrorist group.
However, it later clarified in English social media that it did not intend to label them as such. It is crucial, according to international humanitarian law, to protect civilians, whether they decide to stay or evacuate.
Mohammad Rizwan Ali is a dedicated final-year student pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from NUML, Islamabad. In addition to his studies, he actively contributes to the field as a content writer and contributor at The Diplomatic Insight, showcasing his insightful perspectives on diplomacy, peace, and conflict resolution.
