In Gaza, work has begun to clear the rubble. Middle East: “a moment of great but fragile hope” Humanitarian assistance
UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher on Wednesday called for not missing the opportunity to fully implement agreements on the Middle East conflict. Recalling the summit of world leaders in Sharm el-Sheikh, during which a ceasefire agreement was signed in Gaza, Fletcher spoke about his conversations with them.
“From my conversations with them, it became clear that this is a moment of great but fragile hope. The public response to the progress also makes it clear that Palestinians, Israelis and people throughout the region want peace,” said the Emergency Relief Coordinator. He recalled that earlier this week, UN humanitarian agencies began increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza. Food, medicine, fuel, water, cooking gas and tents were delivered to the sector. Some roads have been cleared and bakeries have resumed operations. “But yesterday we encountered new obstacles on the way to implementing this initiative. We now have to see if we can ensure that this does not impede the progress that President Trump, the UN Secretary-General and many other leaders have insisted on,” Fletcher said. He stressed that Hamas must make every effort to return the bodies of all dead hostages without delay. “I am also gravely concerned by the evidence of violence against civilians in Gaza,” the Emergency Relief Coordinator said. He called on Israel to ensure, as agreed, the delivery of humanitarian aid “on which many lives depend and which the whole world is crying out for.” “We need to open more crossings.” points and develop a realistic, practical approach to solving the remaining problems. Throughout this crisis, we have insisted that civilian assistance is not a bargaining chip. Facilitating relief efforts is a legal obligation,” Fletcher said. He also noted that U.N. humanitarian agencies have developed a 60-day plan to deliver aid to Gaza. Fletcher is in the region this week coordinating the plan. He stressed that the agencies would deliver aid in a way “that it reaches civilians and not armed groups.” “We will not tolerate any interference in the distribution of aid,” Fletcher said. No one expected “it would be simple and easy,” Fletcher said, adding that there could be more ahead. obstacles. “The world has failed so many times – we must not fail this time,” he concluded.