UN Relief Chief welcomes renewed aid deliveries to Gaza, but stresses it's only a "drop in the ocean" of what is needed

Statement on Gaza by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

The Israeli authorities have temporarily allowed us to resume delivery of limited aid into Gaza, following 11 weeks of complete blockade, and amid a spike in the military offensive. This is a welcome development that should remain in place.

Today, nine of our trucks were cleared to enter, via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

But it is a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed, and significantly more aid must be allowed into Gaza, starting tomorrow morning.

We have been reassured that our work will be facilitated through existing, proven mechanisms. I am grateful for that reassurance, and Israel’s agreement to humanitarian notification measures that reduce the immense security threats of the operation. I am determined that our aid reach those in greatest need, and that the risk of theft by Hamas or other armed groups is minimized.

Our expectations for today’s crossings are realistic: Given ongoing bombardment and acute hunger levels, the risks of looting and insecurity are significant.

But it is our job to do everything we can to deliver, even against these odds. I am grateful to our humanitarian colleagues for their immense courage and dedication. They are the best of humanity.

The limited quantities of aid now being allowed into Gaza are of course no substitute for unimpeded access to civilians in such dire need. The UN has a clear, principled and practical plan to save lives at scale, as I set out last week.

We are ready to do so much more. To make this possible, we urge the Israeli authorities to:

• open at least two crossings into Gaza, one in the north and another in the south;
• simplify and expedite procedures; and remove any quotas;
• lift access impediments within Gaza and not conduct attacks in areas and times of deliveries;
• allow us to cover the whole range of needs – food, water, hygiene, shelter, health, fuel, gas and beyond.

To reduce looting, there must be a regular flow of aid, and humanitarians must be permitted to use multiple routes. Commercial goods should complement the humanitarian response.

We are ready and determined to scale up our life-saving operation Gaza and respond to the needs of people, wherever they are. 

We call again for the protection of civilians. We need a resumption of the ceasefire. Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.

This will be tough. But the humanitarian community will take any opening we have.