The United Nations Calls Humanitarian Operations In Gaza Still Limited Despite Ceasefire

JAKARTA - Humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip remain very limited despite the ongoing ceasefire, a UN spokesman said on Thursday, citing ongoing restrictions from Israel and damaged infrastructure.

"The Humanitarian Affairs Coordinating Office (OCHA) said the increase in humanitarian operations continued under a ceasefire, but remains limited by continued restrictions and other obstacles," UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said at a news conference in New York, United States. , reported WAFA October 31.

According to the OCHA, aid convoys have repeatedly received orders to divert routes from Israel for three consecutive days, forcing them to use the Philadelphia Corridor along the border with Egypt before moving north via a narrow, very dense Coastal Road.

"This road is narrow, damaged, and very congested. Movement remains slow, even after the World Food Program repaired the road. Additional crossings and internal routes are needed to expand collection and response," explained Haq.

Turning to the occupied West Bank, Haq noted Ramiz Alakbarov, Deputy Special Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the occupied Palestinian Territories, made a field visit to the Ramallah region to highlight the challenges farmers face during the olive harvest season.

"So far this month, 126 settlers' attacks related to the olive harvest have caused casualties or damage in 70 villages," Haq said, citing OCHA data as of Monday.

He added that farmers had been attacked, their crops and equipment were stolen, and more than 4,000 olive trees were damaged, causing at least 124 Palestinians to be injured.