UN Again Calls For Revocation Of Israel's Brutal Blockade Against Humanitarian Aid In Gaza Strip

JAKARTA - The United Nations on Thursday urged Israel to end a blockade of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, condemning the restrictions as a "cruel collective punishment" that rejects the aid civilians desperately need.

"International law cannot be denied: As a occupation force, Israel must allow the entry of humanitarian aid. Assistance, and the lives of civilians it saves should not be a bargaining chip," Tom Fletcher, head of UN aid, said in a statement.

Fletcher further said blocking aid left civilians starving and leaving them without basic medical support, adding the blocking undermined dignity and their hopes, "providing cruel collective penalties. Blocking killing aid."

"The humanitarian movement is independent, impartial, and neutral. We believe that all civilians deserve protection," Fletcher said, underscoring that they remain ready to save as many lives as possible, regardless of the risks.

"However, as the UN Secretary-General (Antonio Guterres) has clarified, the latest modalities proposed by the Israeli authorities do not meet the minimum standards for principled humanitarian support," the statement said.

Fletcher urged Israel to remove this " brutal blockade" and "entrust the humanitarian workers to save lives."

"For civilians who are unprotected, there is not enough apology. However, I really regret that we cannot mobilize the international community to prevent this injustice," he said.

It is known that the latest conflict broke out in Gaza when a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region on October 7, 2023, leaving 1,200 people dead and another 251 held hostage according to Israeli calculations.

Israel retaliated by blockade, airstrikes and military operations in the Palestinian enclave.

Israel has closed Gaza crossings, blocking important supplies into the enclave since March 2, despite reports of starvation in the war-torn region.

The Israeli army continued its attack on Gaza on March 18, after the end of the ceasefire and the exchange of hostages which began on January 19 with the militant group Hamas.

Quoted from WAFA, the death toll from Palestine since the conflict only broke out until yesterday has reached 52,418 people, while injured victims reached 118,091, the majority of children and women.

According to medical sources, the number of victims included 2,326 civilians who were killed and 6,050 others injured since March 18 alone.