  {"id":295417,"date":"2024-04-24T11:13:10","date_gmt":"2024-04-24T15:13:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?post_type=document&#038;p=295417"},"modified":"2024-06-12T16:08:19","modified_gmt":"2024-06-12T20:08:19","slug":"every-day-counts-senior-coordinator-for-gaza-aid-tells-security-council-urging-comprehensive-support-with-commensurate-investment-to-alleviate-suffering","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/every-day-counts-senior-coordinator-for-gaza-aid-tells-security-council-urging-comprehensive-support-with-commensurate-investment-to-alleviate-suffering\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Every Day Counts,\u2019 Senior Coordinator for Gaza Aid Tells Security Council, Urging Comprehensive Support with Commensurate Investment to Alleviate Suffering &#8211; Security Council 9617th meeting Press Release"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--first\">\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-field-meeting-info\">\n<div class=\"block-content\">\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-meeting-info field--type-string field--label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field__items\">\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"field__item\" style=\"text-align: center\">9617TH MEETING (PM)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--second\">\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-field-symbol\" style=\"text-align: center\">\n<div class=\"block-content\">\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-symbol field--type-string field--label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field__items\">\n<div class=\"field__item\">SC\/15679<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-field-dated\">\n<div class=\"presser-header-date block-content\">\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-dated field--type-datetime field--label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field__items\">\n<div class=\"field__item\" style=\"text-align: center\">24 April 2024<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"layout layout--twocol-section layout--twocol-section--50-50\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--first\">\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-field-meeting-info\">\n<div class=\"block-content\">\n<div class=\"field__items\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/security-council-9617th-meeting-s-pv-9617-24apr24\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Meetings records<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"layout layout--onecol\">\n<div class=\"layout__region layout__region--content\">\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-field-display-title\">\n<div class=\"block-content\">\n<div class=\"field field--name-field-display-title field--type-string field--label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field__items\">\n<div class=\"field__item\">\n<p class=\"page-header\"><span style=\"font-size: 16px\">The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza urged the Security Council today to scale up assistance to meet the immense needs of the civilian population in Gaza, also warning that an Israeli military operation in Rafah would compound the existing humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-layout-builder block-field-block-node-press-body\">\n<div class=\"block-content\">\n<div class=\"clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden\">\n<div class=\"field__items\">\n<div class=\"field__item\">\n<p>\u201cGiven the scale and scope of the destruction, and the extent of human suffering, every day counts,\u201d\u00a0stressed Sigrid Kaag. \u00a0Assessing the implementation of resolution\u00a02720\u00a0(2023) \u2014 which created her position in an effort to increase aid to Gaza \u2014 she said that the\u00a0extent of destruction and devastation in the Strip calls for an ambitious and comprehensive plan of support with commensurate investment. \u00a0\u00a0Cautioning that\u00a0effective humanitarian operations cannot be reduced to counting trucks, she emphasized: \u00a0\u201cThis is a false metric for gauging whether humanitarian assistance is sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While pointing out that the Israeli Government has taken steps to improve aid delivery, she stressed that further action is needed to ensure a sustained flow of humanitarian and commercial goods into Gaza. \u00a0Outlining her discussions with regional stakeholders to accelerate and streamline the delivery of goods \u2014 and ensure their distribution within Gaza \u2014 she pointed to the launch of the Jordan land corridor; dialogue to optimize the efficiency of aid delivery through Egypt; work on the Cyprus maritime corridor; and the establishment of a database and notification system for all cargo destined for the Strip.<\/p>\n<p>Also expressing concern over a potential Israeli military operation in Rafah, she underscored:\u00a0\u201cSuch action would compound an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, with consequences for people already displaced and enduring severe hardships and suffering.\u201d\u00a0 She added:\u00a0 \u201cThe Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ\u2019s ability to deliver will be constrained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In the discussion that followed, many Council members\u00a0voiced alarm over looming famine in Gaza, as well as the compounding impact that an Israeli military operation in Rafah would have on those already suffering there. \u00a0Many underlined the importance of a ceasefire to the delivery of much-needed humanitarian relief. \u00a0Some Council members also\u00a0called on Israel to do more to allow the passage of aid into and throughout the Strip.<\/p>\n<p>Among them was the representative of the United States, who described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as \u201cbeyond dire\u201d and reported that his country has called on Israel to take specific, concrete and measurable steps to address the crisis, protect civilians and ensure the safety of aid workers. \u00a0While acknowledging that Israel has taken some positive steps in this regard, he stressed:\u00a0 \u201cBut not nearly enough, and not quickly enough.\u201d \u00a0The United Kingdom\u2019s delegate echoed that sentiment: \u00a0\u201cIsrael must improve deconfliction and allow Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ agencies and humanitarian actors unhindered and safe access into and throughout Gaza.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The representative of the Republic of Korea, noting Israel\u2019s recent announcement to open further access points into Gaza, called on that country to swiftly implement these commitments. \u00a0Such measures will not only ease the suffering of Palestinians, but will also enhance Israel\u2019s credibility in the eyes of the international community. \u00a0\u201cActions speak much louder than words,\u201d he asserted.\u00a0 Building on that, Guyana\u2019s representative, while recognizing the importance of scaling up humanitarian support and increasing access across Gaza, observed that \u201cthis alone will not save lives\u201d.\u00a0 There must be a permanent ceasefire for aid to be delivered effectively, she emphasized.<\/p>\n<p>On that, the representative of the Russian Federation stressed that the Council has a logical algorithm for addressing conflict:\u00a0first, a demand for a ceasefire; second, monitoring for compliance; then, in the case of violations, the question of enforcement arises. \u00a0In Gaza, however, \u201cthis entire sequence of events has been turned upside down\u201d, he said.<\/p>\n<p>Agreeing on the necessity of an immediate and lasting ceasefire, Algeria\u2019s representative pointed out that \u2014 in the absence of such a measure \u2014 humanitarian actors will deliver aid at risk to their lives.\u00a0He further warned that a ground offensive into Rafah \u201cwill leave people with no choice but to flee to Egypt\u201d and would represent \u201can irreversible breach of peace and security in the region and beyond\u201d, expressing a concern shared by many others.\u00a0 \u201cThe pictures and news coming from Gaza will haunt us,\u201d observed the representative of Slovenia.<\/p>\n<p>For his part, Israel\u2019s representative said that his country has taken many steps to improve the delivery of aid to Gaza. \u00a0The flow of humanitarian goods into Gaza has meaningfully increased over recent weeks thanks to Israeli authorities\u2019 ongoing efforts, he said, adding that the establishment of vital infrastructure is also under way. \u00a0Regarding the 193\u00a0Israeli and other hostages still held by Hamas and other terrorist groups, however, he added: \u00a0\u201cWe are here to remind all that these hostages have not been allowed any basic humanitarian assistance by their monstrous terrorist kidnappers.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>THE SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST, INCLUDING THE PALESTINIAN QUESTION<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><u>Briefing<\/u><\/p>\n<p>SIGRID KAAG,\u00a0<u>Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza<\/u>, said that a paradigm shift is needed to meet the immense needs of Gaza\u2019s civilian population.\u00a0 This requires a scale-up in assistance and distribution; irreversible steps to enable safe, secure and unhindered delivery inside Gaza; and timely preparation for early recovery and reconstruction.\u00a0 Reporting that health infrastructure in Gaza has been decimated, she said that the few hospitals still standing struggle to operate due to severe shortages of supplies and frequent power outages.\u00a0 As summer draws near and temperatures rise, communicable diseases threaten to sweep through Gaza.\u00a0 Children, who suffer the worst and the most in every crisis, are deprived of nutrition, protection and education and their futures hang in the balance, she said, noting that the efficacy of humanitarian operations cannot be determined by counting trucks.\u00a0 \u201cThis is a false metric for gauging whether humanitarian assistance is sufficient,\u201d she observed.<\/p>\n<p>Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA) is pivotal in providing life-saving humanitarian aid and essential social services to Palestine refugees, she went on to say.\u00a0\u201cAs such, Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is irreplaceable and indispensable as a humanitarian lifeline and must be allowed to deliver on its mandate,\u201d she stressed.\u00a0 She also reported that Israel has made several commitments to improve aid delivery, and that a number of steps have been taken to this end.\u00a0 These include an increase in the volume of aid cleared, inspected and crossed into Gaza; the temporary opening of the Erez Crossing and the Port of Ashdod for humanitarian goods, an increase in the number of trucks entering Gaza directly from Jordan, an expansion of the operating hours of the Kerem Shalom and Nitzana border crossings, the resumption of operations by some bakeries in north and central Gaza and the repair of the Nahal Oz waterline.\u00a0However, further steps are needed to enable the sustained flow of humanitarian and commercial goods into Gaza in terms of volume, need and reach.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiven the scale and scope of destruction, and the extent of human suffering, every day counts,\u201d she underscored, outlining her discussions with regional stakeholders to ensure a consistent pipeline of goods and their distribution within Gaza.\u00a0 She pointed to the launch of the Jordan land corridor, resulting in an increase in volume and spotlighted the potential for further increases.\u00a0 Her team has also engaged in constructive dialogue to optimize the efficiency of aid delivery through Egypt, she reported.\u00a0 On the Cyprus maritime corridor, she said that \u2014 while it can never be a substitute for land deliveries \u2014 it can provide additional resources.\u00a0 Efforts to build a floating port and pier on the shores of Gaza are advancing, she added.\u00a0She also said that a database and notification system will go online for all cargo destined for Gaza along supply routes, stating that its operationalization will allow for pipeline prioritization, predictability, visibility and tracking of these supplies.<\/p>\n<p>The extent of the destruction and the devastating impact of this war on the entire population call for an ambitious and comprehensive plan of support with commensurate investment, she stressed.\u00a0 Echoing the Secretary-General, she noted the critical role to be played by the Palestinian Authority in Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cThe international community must work towards enabling its return, strengthen its governance capacity and prepare it to reassume its responsibilities in Gaza,\u201d she said.\u00a0 Also expressing concern over a potential Israeli operation in Rafah, she underscored:\u00a0\u201cSuch action would compound an ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, with consequences for people already displaced and enduring severe hardships and suffering.\u00a0 The Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ\u2019s ability to deliver will be constrained.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><u>Statements<\/u><\/p>\n<p>The representative of the\u00a0<u>United Kingdom<\/u>, while welcoming Israel\u2019s commitment to increase aid flows into Gaza, stressed that \u201cmuch more needs to be done\u201d.\u00a0 Further, the Senior Coordinator\u2019s mandate to establish a mechanism to track, verify and coordinate aid is crucial, she said, adding that her Government will provide over $3.5\u00a0million in additional funding for equipment to support the efforts of the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ and aid agencies to get more aid into Gaza. \u00a0It is also vital that this aid is distributed quickly and effectively \u2014 to this end, Israel must improve deconfliction and allow Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ agencies and humanitarian actors unhindered and safe access into and throughout Gaza. \u00a0Recognizing that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA is critical to aid delivery in Gaza, she commended the independent review of the Agency\u2019s neutrality and noted that London will determine its future funding following careful consideration of the final report and the Agency\u2019s response.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Mozambique<\/u>\u00a0said that the Israel Defense Forces continue military operations that cause more civilian casualties, displacement and destruction of civilian infrastructure.\u00a0 Recalling that the Council \u2014 despite the challenges in achieving consensus \u2014 successfully adopted resolutions\u00a02712\u00a0(2023) and\u00a02720\u00a0(2023), he stated that both were clear in their appeals: \u00a0calls for an immediate and urgent humanitarian ceasefire, a cessation of hostilities, and ultimately, a ceasefire.\u00a0 Reiterating an appeal to Council members with influence to cooperate with the Senior Coordinator to fulfil her mandate, he underscored:\u00a0 \u201cThe human toll of this conflict is staggering, with innocent lives caught in the crossfire.\u00a0 The call for a ceasefire remains, therefore, urgent and crucial.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The representative of the\u00a0<u>United States<\/u>\u00a0said that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is \u201cbeyond dire\u201d and that his country has called on Israel to take a series of specific, concrete and measurable steps to address this crisis, protect civilians and ensure the safety of aid workers.\u00a0 While acknowledging that Israel has taken some positive steps, he stressed:\u00a0 \u201cBut not nearly enough and not quickly enough.\u201d\u00a0The United States\u2019 position is clear:\u00a0Israel must take immediate action to open additional land crossings into Northern Gaza.\u00a0 \u201cAs Gaza faces imminent famine, lives hang in the balance and every day matters,\u201d he said, adding that the United States and its partners are working to establish a maritime corridor to Gaza and calling on Israel to open Ashdod to humanitarian shipments.\u00a0 \u201cThis is critical, and it needs to happen right away,\u201d he underscored, also urging accountability for the killing of humanitarian personnel, including the attack on World Central Kitchen staff earlier in April.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Algeria<\/u>, underscoring the need to establish a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief into Gaza, said that every Member State with influence should help the Senior Coordinator implement her mandate.\u00a0 However, successful humanitarian aid delivery in Gaza depends on an immediate and lasting ceasefire.\u00a0 Otherwise, humanitarian actors will deliver aid at risk to their lives, he said, condemning the assassination of humanitarian workers from the World Central Kitchen.\u00a0 Highlighting Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA\u2019s irreplaceable role in Gaza, he stressed that the Agency must be able to operate freely and safely.\u00a0 He further warned that a ground offensive into Rafah \u201cwill leave people with no choice but to flee to Egypt\u201d and would represent \u201can irreversible breach of peace and security in the region and beyond\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Ecuador<\/u>\u00a0noted that more than four months have passed since the adoption of resolution\u00a02720\u00a0(2023), observing:\u00a0 \u201cRegrettably, many of its provisions are far from being fulfilled, and the valuable progress achieved is insufficient given the magnitude of the task.\u201d\u00a0 The civilian population in Gaza must have access to the aid it needs at scale.\u00a0 Quito welcomes efforts to \u201cdiversify\u201d aid routes and supply lines by land, air and sea and encourages the pursuit of these efforts despite operational difficulties, he said, expressing hope that the mechanism to accelerate humanitarian relief to Gaza will be fully operational as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Guyana<\/u>\u00a0said that the death toll in Gaza \u201cshould shock our collective conscience and compel us to bring this war to an immediate and just end after more than 200\u00a0days of unimaginable horror\u201d.\u00a0 The lack of sufficient land crossings remains a major hindrance to humanitarian efforts in Gaza that is compounded by excessive inspection processes, she observed, emphasizing that Israel is obliged to enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale.\u00a0 However, while scaling up humanitarian support and increasing access across Gaza is crucial, \u201cthis alone will not save lives\u201d, she stressed, adding that there must be a permanent ceasefire for aid to be delivered effectively.\u00a0 Additionally, Palestinians must not be expected to subsist on humanitarian aid for any lengthy period, as conditions must be created for them to build their livelihoods.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of the\u00a0<u>Russian Federation<\/u>\u00a0recalled that his delegation abstained during the vote on resolution\u00a02720\u00a0(2023).\u00a0That resolution did not directly demand a ceasefire \u2014 a key precondition for the safe, unfettered delivery of aid to those in need.\u00a0 Instead, it set forth information about the creation of conditions for the cessation of violence in Gaza.\u00a0 Moscow warned that these ambiguous words would be interpreted by Israel as a green light.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s exactly what happened,\u201d he said, noting that Israel\u2019s military operations have continued \u201cwith comprehensive support from the United States\u201d.\u00a0 He stressed that the Council has a logical algorithm for its actions in conflicts \u2014 first, a demand for a ceasefire; second, monitoring for compliance; then, in case of violations, the question of enforcement arises.\u00a0 In Gaza, however, \u201cthis entire sequence of events has been turned upside down\u201d, he said, adding that \u201chumanitarian aid workers have, in essence, been asked to sacrifice their lives by doing the jobs of peacekeepers\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>China<\/u>\u00a0said that, in the past 200\u00a0days, Gaza has seen the spread of famine, the collapse of the health-care system, the loss of innocent lives and the desperate struggle of millions of people on the brink of death.\u00a0 Voicing concern over the continued worsening of this humanitarian disaster, he observed that aid delivery continues to encounter various man-made obstacles.\u00a0 To ensure the rapid and safe delivery of relief to Gaza \u2014 and its safe and orderly distribution \u2014 the mechanism established by the Senior Coordinator will be crucial.\u00a0 He also highlighted Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA\u2019s indispensable role in guaranteeing aid delivery, stressing that \u201chunger cannot be weaponized, and relief cannot be politicized\u201d.\u00a0 Pointing to the independent review panel that reaffirmed Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA\u2019s neutrality, he urged all countries to resume funding the Agency.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Sierra Leone<\/u>\u00a0underlined the Senior Coordinator\u2019s vital role in facilitating and expediting humanitarian aid to Gaza.\u00a0 Calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Strip to enable full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all civilians, he said that the absence of such measures will only stifle progress.\u00a0 In that vein, he called on the Senior Coordinator to liaise with Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA to ensure that Palestinians enjoy full access to humanitarian aid.\u00a0He also reiterated a call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas, and in the interim, demanded that access be granted to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other humanitarian workers to visit and support the victims.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of the\u00a0<u>Republic of Korea<\/u>, noting Israel\u2019s recent announcement to open further access points into Gaza, called on that country to swiftly implement these commitments. \u00a0Such measures will not only ease the suffering of Palestinians, but will also enhance Israel\u2019s credibility in the eyes of the international community.\u00a0 \u201cActions speak much louder than words,\u201d he asserted, expressing hope that all possible land crossings, including those at Erez and Karni, can soon be opened.\u00a0 Further, an immediate ceasefire is essential to end humanitarian suffering in Gaza, and simultaneously, lessen regional tensions.\u00a0Adding that another major military operation \u2014 including a looming ground offensive in Rafah \u2014 must not be realized, he emphasized that, given Gaza\u2019s immense needs, the Senior Coordinator\u2019s mandate on reconstruction should begin based on a ceasefire.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Slovenia<\/u>, recalling that resolution\u00a02720\u00a0(2023) demanded that parties to the conflict enable the safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance at scale in Gaza, said:\u00a0\u201cPeople are dying in Gaza due to malnutrition and dehydration.\u00a0 This is not assistance at scale.\u00a0 People are dying in Gaza, collecting assistance.\u00a0 This is not safe.\u00a0 People are dying in Gaza as basic humanitarian and medical items are denied due to dual use.\u00a0 This is not unhindered.\u201d\u00a0 Expressing concern over the prospect of famine in Gaza and the threat of a full-scale operation in Rafah, he called for the removal of all barriers to the delivery of aid.\u00a0 He also called on Israel not to carry out the Rafah operation, to fully implement the announced opening of the Erez Crossing and use of the Port of Ashdod and to fully respect international law.\u00a0 \u201cThe pictures and news coming from Gaza will haunt us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Switzerland<\/u>\u00a0urged the parties to fully implement the binding resolutions the Council has adopted since the 7\u00a0October\u00a02023 Hamas attacks.\u00a0The same applies to the International Court of Justice\u2019s order that Israel must immediately take all necessary measures to ensure the provision of urgently needed basic services and humanitarian aid to people in Gaza.\u00a0 Further, a large-scale military offensive in Rafah is unacceptable, as it would further hurt a civilian population already impacted by displacement, hostilities, epidemics and famine.\u00a0 The use of starvation as a method of warfare is strictly prohibited by international humanitarian law and constitutes a war crime, she stated, urging the immediate implementation of relevant Council resolutions, a ceasefire, the safe, swift and unimpeded delivery of aid to Gaza and the release of hostages.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Japan<\/u>\u00a0welcomed the Senior Coordinator\u2019s tireless efforts to streamline and expedite the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as her proposal for a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ mechanism to this end.\u00a0Tokyo supports the role of the United Nations Office for Project Services\u00a0(Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµOPS) in that regard.\u00a0Israel should reopen land crossings, he urged, underscoring that \u201cland routes and more entry points into Gaza are vital, with no viable alternative\u201d.\u00a0 He also stated that Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA plays a central role in Gaza\u2019s desperately needed humanitarian operations.\u00a0 Welcoming the final report and recommendations of the independent review of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA, he noted that Japan had resumed its funding to the Agency since 2\u00a0April and has already disbursed $35\u00a0million.\u00a0 In addition, its in-kind contributions to Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA will resume in early May.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>France<\/u>\u00a0said that Palestinians in Gaza are not just exposed to the risk of famine; rather, \u201cfamine is upon them\u201d.\u00a0In that context, the effectiveness of humanitarian aid is a major concern.\u00a0 \u201cIt\u2019s not a question of counting the number of trucks\u201d, but a matter of ensuring that these trucks are loaded with the necessary cargo, he said.\u00a0Hampering the provision of such relief could constitute a crime under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.\u00a0 \u201cWe are not dealing with a natural catastrophe,\u201d he stressed, urging an end to the fighting and opposing a ground offensive in Rafah, which would lead to humanitarian catastrophe.\u00a0 The draft resolution that his delegation has submitted addresses all aspects of the crisis, he added, calling on Council members to support it.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Malta<\/u>, Council President for April, spoke in his national capacity to demand the immediate implementation of relevant Council resolutions calling for ceasefire, hostage release and facilitation of humanitarian aid into and throughout Gaza.\u00a0 Noting the unjustified blockade of aid, he said that famine has grasped the north of the Strip while the rest of Gaza\u2019s population is now the most food insecure in the world.\u00a0 Moreover, reports continue to emerge of the use of deadly experimental artificial-intelligence targeting systems to devastating effect in Gaza.\u00a0 Highlighting Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA\u2019s irreplaceable role, he underscored the need to avoid politicizing the work of humanitarian actors and undermining the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ\u2019s legitimacy in Gaza.\u00a0 Condemning the staggering number of humanitarian and Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ staff killed by Israel during this conflict to date, he called for thorough and transparent investigations.\u00a0 He also urged an independent investigation into the recent reports of mass graves at the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis and the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.<\/p>\n<p>The representative of\u00a0<u>Israel<\/u>\u00a0detailed several steps his country has taken to improve the delivery of aid to Gaza, which have dramatically increased the volume of aid over the last several months.\u00a0 In recent weeks, Israeli authorities have inspected and granted access to between 300\u00a0to 400\u00a0trucks carrying aid and essentials.\u00a0 Since 7\u00a0October\u00a02023, over 25,000\u00a0trucks carrying almost 500,000\u00a0tons of aid have been given access to the Gaza Strip, and the flow has meaningfully increased over recent weeks thanks to Israeli authorities\u2019 ongoing efforts.\u00a0 The establishment of vital infrastructure is also under way, he said, noting that 25\u00a0bakeries are currently operational in Gaza, providing over 3\u00a0million units of bread, rolls and pizza daily.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThese steps \u2014 and others \u2014 were all made possible through the commitment of the Israeli authorities to the humanitarian efforts, as well as our coordination and joint work with different partners in the region and beyond,\u201d he stated.\u00a0 Noting recent bottlenecks on the Gaza side of the crossing, he said that the United Nations must find solutions to this logistical gap and extend its hours of operation.\u00a0 Regarding the 193\u00a0Israeli and other hostages still held by Hamas and other terrorist groups, he called on the Council to step up its own efforts and demand that this horror finally ends.\u00a0 \u201cWe are here to remind all that these hostages have not been allowed any basic humanitarian assistance by their monstrous terrorist kidnappers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. KAAG, taking the floor a second time, said that the mechanism will be able to service additional delivery routes into Gaza while maximizing the efficiency of existing ones.\u00a0 Resolution\u00a02720\u00a0(2023) requires that mechanism to be humanitarian in nature \u2014 it is, however, logical that it could be used for commercial goods in the future, especially in the context of early recovery and reconstruction.\u00a0Such goods are needed in Gaza, she stressed, noting that both informal and formal economies must be rebooted and combined with cash assistance \u2014 this is critical to restoring \u201celements of human dignity in Gaza\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>9617TH MEETING (PM) SC\/15679 24 April 2024 Meetings records The Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza urged the Security Council today to scale up assistance to meet the immense needs of the civilian population in Gaza, also warning that an Israeli military operation in Rafah would compound the existing humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/every-day-counts-senior-coordinator-for-gaza-aid-tells-security-council-urging-comprehensive-support-with-commensurate-investment-to-alleviate-suffering\/\"> [&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":301,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[1329],"document-source":[2169,1362,6169],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1769,1945,5449,1829,6650,2005,1741,5200],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542],"class_list":["post-295417","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-press-release","document-source-office-for-the-coordination-of-humanitarian-affairs-ocha","document-source-security-council","document-source-united-nations-department-of-global-communications","document-subject-armed-conflict","document-subject-assistance","document-subject-assistance-to-the-palestinian-people","document-subject-casualties","document-subject-funding-needs","document-subject-gaza-strip","document-subject-human-rights-and-international-humanitarian-law","document-subject-humanitarian-relief","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/295417","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/301"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/295417\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":296932,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/295417\/revisions\/296932"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295417"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=295417"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=295417"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}