UN Aid Agency Says Israel Blocks Humanitarian Aid From Reaching Northern Gaza

Illustration of humanitarian aid convoys in Gaza. (Source: IDF)

JAKARTA - The head of the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA said on Monday Israeli authorities were still blocking humanitarian missions from reaching the northern Gaza region with essential supplies including medicines and food for people under siege.

The hospital has been hit by an attack and has no electricity while injured people are not receiving treatment, Philippe Lazzarini said in X.

"The remaining shelters in UNRWA are very crowded, some displaced people are now forced to live in toilets. According to reports, people who tried to escape were killed, their bodies were left on the street. Missions to save people from below the rubble were also rejected," he wrote.

Meanwhile, there was no immediate comment from Israel regarding UNRWA's statement.

Earlier, Israel said it delivered large quantities of humanitarian supplies to Gaza by land delivery, including one shipment on Monday morning, and delivery by air.

They also said they had facilitated the evacuation of patients from Kamal Adwan Hospital.

"Humanitarian agencies including UNRWA must gain access to northern Gaza. Rejecting & making humanitarian aid a weapon to achieve military goals is a sign of how low moral it is," said Lazzarini.

He said aid must reach all in need in Palestinian enclaves, including Israeli children and hostages who were seized by Hamas militants.

"The ceasefire is the beginning of this endless nightmare," he added.

Israel began a massive military offensive in northern Gaza, particularly inside Jabalia, the largest of eight historic camps in the enclave, more than two weeks ago, with the aim of preventing Hamas fighters from gathering again.