The United Nations has made a plea for $2.8 billion to provide essential aid to 3 million Palestinians, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance in war-torn Gaza. The appeal highlights the necessity of addressing not only food shortages but also the critical requirements for sanitation, water, and healthcare facilities.
The head of the U.N. humanitarian office for Gaza and the West Bank emphasized the need for significant operations to restore vital services and meet basic standards, stressing that such efforts cannot be effectively carried out during military operations. The destruction of hospitals, water and sanitation facilities, homes, roads, and schools has left the region in dire need, with Gaza now lacking a standing university.
Recent military actions by Israel have resulted in severe damage to essential infrastructure, including the largest medical facility in Gaza, Shifa Hospital, which has been forced to close. The destruction of crucial medical equipment, such as an MRI scanner, has raised questions about the military objectives behind such actions.
Israel has faced criticism for its conduct in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, with recent incidents, including the killing of aid workers and delays in allowing humanitarian convoys to enter Gaza, drawing international condemnation. Despite some efforts to increase aid flow into Gaza, the U.N. continues to push for more substantial assistance from Israel.
The situation in northern Gaza is particularly alarming, with 70% of the population facing catastrophic hunger. The U.N. warns that further escalation of the conflict could push half of Gaza's 2.3 million residents to the brink of starvation.
The U.N.'s appeal for $2.8 billion, reduced from an initial request of $4 billion due to logistical challenges, aims to address the pressing humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank. The majority of the funds sought are designated for Gaza, where the situation is most critical, while a smaller portion is allocated for the West Bank, which has seen a rise in violence and settler attacks.
