NEW YORK: The United Nations on Wednesday said that a paradigm shift is needed to avert the threat of famine and meet the humanitarian requirements of the people of Gaza.
The senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, sharing her evaluations with members of the Security Council on Wednesday, said the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made repeated calls for a ceasefire, the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages along with the unrestricted flow of humanitarian aid to the population Gaza.
She also voiced grave concern about a threatened Israeli operation into the city of Rafah in the south of Gaza, which is the last refuge for more than 1.5 million Palestinians, displaced by fighting in other areas of the territory.
She added that a ground offensive would worsen the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe, with consequences for already displaced people.
The UN official noted that more than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza and tens of thousands injured or maimed. She added livelihoods, homes, schools, and hospitals have also been destroyed.
Gaza health infrastructure decimates
Kaaga said the Gaza health infrastructure has been decimated and few hospitals are currently operating.
She warned as summer comes near, communicable diseases could sweep through Gaza. He added children, children are suffering the worst and the most, and are deprived of nutrition, protection, and education.
Kaag added that UNRWA is indispensable and irreplaceable as a humanitarian agency and must be allowed to deliver its mandate.
Noting, the scope of the destruction and the human suffering in the Palestinian territory, Kaag said urgent steps are needed.
She also talked about efforts to streamline the delivery of assistance to Gaza from Jordan, Egypt, and Cyprus.
The UN official said the Palestinian Authority has a crucial role to play in Gaza.
