UN Calls for Immediate Humanitarian Access
Antonio Guterres told Israel to let humanitarian aid into Gaza right away. He stressed how important it is to get help to people quickly and without any problems. He made these comments while speaking at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Guterres made a point of saying how important the Rafah crossing is for getting help. He asked for medical evacuations and supply deliveries to happen right away, without any long delays. The appeal came after reports of sick and injured Palestinians facing severe restrictions.
Source: Al Jazeera/Website
Limited Crossings Deepen Medical Crisis
More than 100 people came to the reopened Rafah crossing. But on Tuesday, only 16 Palestinians were allowed to leave. Only 5 people were allowed to leave Gaza the day before.
Those numbers are still well below the 50 travelers that were previously allowed. Aid workers said that there were delays that couldn’t be explained and long processing times. Families have had to leave behind their things before going to Egypt.
Thousands Await Urgent Treatment Abroad
About 20,000 Palestinians are still on waiting lists for medical care. A lot of them have long-term illnesses, traumatic injuries, or conditions that have gotten worse. Local hospitals don’t have the special tools they need for complicated treatments.
Years of fighting have made Gaza’s healthcare system very weak. Many buildings were damaged or destroyed during military operations. The hospitals that are still open are having trouble because they don’t have enough medicine or trained staff.
Recommended Article: Zimbabwe Millions Opt for Funeral Insurance Over Health Care
Al-Shifa Director Says It Could Have Deadly Results
Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa Hospital, said that stopping evacuations could lead to deaths. He said that not letting people through for medical care was like a death sentence. His statement made it clear how important it was to get patients moving again.
He also asked for medical supplies to be let in right away. There is still a serious lack of important equipment and medicines. Healthcare workers say they are overwhelmed by the growing needs of their patients.
Violence Continues During Ceasefire Period
Even though a ceasefire went into effect in the middle of October, violence has continued. Reports say that Israeli soldiers shot and killed a 19-year-old near Khan Younis. Local officials confirmed that the death happened outside of restricted military areas.
The Health Ministry in Gaza says that since the ceasefire began, 529 Palestinians have died. These events make people worry about how stable the agreement is. Civilian safety is still in danger because tensions are still high.
Rafah Crossing Central To Truce Agreement
The reopening of the Rafah crossing was part of a larger truce plan. Former US President Donald Trump helped make the plan happen. Israeli officials put off reopening until the dead captives were brought back.
It was said that the last remains were moved on January 26. Limited reopening started soon after, but only under controlled conditions. Aid groups say that the scale is still not big enough to meet humanitarian needs.
Global Pressure Mounts For Sustained Access
International groups are still calling for long-term humanitarian corridors into Gaza. Relief groups stress that medical evacuations must always go on. Short-term openings don’t fix the problems with the healthcare system.
UN officials say that humanitarian aid should not depend on changing political talks. Making sure that Rafah is a safe place to pass through could help stabilize important medical operations. In the next few weeks, we may find out if access to aid really improves.
