NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s top humanitarian official on Wednesday called on Israel to open more border crossings into Gaza to increase the flow of humanitarian aid. Facilitating access for civilians is a “legal obligation,” not a matter of political negotiation, he added.
The appeal by Tom Fletcher, under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, came amid ongoing efforts to implement a fragile US-led peace deal in Gaza that was agreed this week in Sharm El-Sheikh with the backing of world leaders.
“This is a moment of great but precarious hope,” Fletcher said from Cairo. “We must not fail to see through in full the implementation of the agreements made.”
While initial shipments of food, medicines, fuel and shelter materials have begun to reach civilians in Gaza following months of restrictions on aid deliveries, Fletcher warned that further setbacks risk slowing the momentum.
“We need more crossings open and a genuine, practical, problem-solving approach to removing remaining obstacles,” he said.
