UN Urges Israel to Allow Emergency Aid into Gaza

Geneva, MINA — A UN aid agency on Wednesday urged Israel to let emergency fuel into the Gaza Strip to avert the shutdown of hospitals and sanitation facilities.

Jamie McGoldrick, from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, called Israel’s restriction of fuel imports “a dangerous practice, with grave consequences on the rights of people in Gaza.”

“The well-being of two million people, half of whom are children, is at stake,” McGoldrick said. “It is unacceptable that Palestinians in Gaza are repeatedly deprived of the most basic elements of a dignified life.”

Up to five hospitals may halt their services over the coming three days in case emergency fuel has not been allowed back into the Strip, he added.

Israel has enforced a siege on Gaza since 2007, shortly after Hamas took control of the coastal strip.

UN officials and rights activists have repeatedly called for Israel to lift the blockade against Gaza, citing deteriorating humanitarian conditions. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)