UNITED NATIONS: The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, has issued a warning, highlighting ongoing challenges faced by aid teams in northern Gaza due to persistent denials and restrictive access imposed by Israel. According to OCHA’s latest update, the rate of access denials by Israel has significantly worsened in January compared to December.
Between January 1 and 10, only three out of 21 planned deliveries of essential items such as food, medicines, and water reached the northern Wadi Gaza. Delays at Israeli checkpoints and impassable agreed routes led to the cancellation or postponement of missions by partners on the ground.
OCHA emphasized that the recurring denials of access and lack of coordinated safe access by Israeli authorities are hindering humanitarian partners’ ability to address the extensive needs in northern Gaza.
Planned missions to deliver medical supplies and fuel to water and sanitation facilities have been consistently denied, affecting hospitals and leaving people without access to clean water.
The agency noted a significant deterioration in access denials compared to December 2023, impacting the delivery of aid to the region where needs are most severe. OCHA stressed that each day of missed assistance results in the suffering of hundreds of thousands of people in northern Gaza.
In other developments, OCHA reported that on January 10, 193 trucks carrying supplies entered Gaza through the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. Additionally, a UNICEF cash-for-work pilot project began at Al Quds University in north Gaza, employing workers for solid waste and sanitation cleanup.
The update also mentioned continued intense Israeli bombardments and Palestinian armed groups firing rockets into Israel, resulting in civilian casualties and destruction.
Between January 9 and 10, Gaza health authorities reported 147 Palestinians killed and 243 injured, while Israel reported one soldier killed in Gaza. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported casualties when one of its ambulances was struck on January 10.
Since the conflict’s start on October 7, Gaza authorities estimate that at least 23,357 Palestinians have been killed, and 59,410 injured.
