UN’s World Food Programme Halts Aid Operations in Gaza Amid Israeli Attacks
The United NP’s World Food Programme stated that it would be unable to distribute food through the US-built pier in Gaza because its operations were no longer safe as Israelis continued to attack the area.
Ms. Cindy McCain, the director of WFP, in an interview with CBS, was categorical on why she had to pull her team, saying the most crucial reason was the safety of the team. “I think we stand a great risk of losing our people,” McCain stated. “For the moment we have retreated, and we will not proceed further until we are on certain grounds This is however happening now all over the rest of the country; we are doing all within our capacity in the north and south.
McCain also revealed that two WFP warehouses in Gaza have been struck by rockets, one of them has injured a member via his foot.
USAID explained the move as a precautionary measure to carry out a security assessment of the aid delivery situation in Gaza. USAID is working with WFP and other partners to guarantee that aid can resume when the security survey is over. “We are collaborating with other US workers and other humanitarian organizations and plans so that work can resume after the security check,” AP quoted USAID.
This decision comes after a recent occasion in Nuseirat camp where an attack by Israel to rescue four hostages led to the killing of more than 270 Palestinians. Some speculations regarding a helicopter leaving the US-built pier regarding the operation have been made and despite this, the US has refuted such allegations.
On the other hand, the US continues to present a new ceasefire resolution before the UN Security Council for a vote. The new draft has cut a clause stating that it is ‘improper’ to establish buffer zones in Gaza since it provoked the Israeli side. It now says that Israel has agreed to the deal, while earlier versions said that the more tentative position of being acceptable to Israel was taken. Specifically, the resolution demands that Hamas accept the deal laid out in the resolution and both parties guarantee the deal’s enforcement.
The US asserts a ceasefire will continue to be in effect aside from the six weeks and the continuation of talks regarding the further stage. However, Hamas had in the past dismissed any ceasefire deal that does not make it certain that it does not have to fight again.
These negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of Israeli air strikes and military operations in the Gaza Strip. At least eight people were killed in overnight bombings of Gaza City, with raids being carried out across the Palestinian enclave, Wafa news agency reported.
The death toll in Gaza has now gone past 37,000 after the severe raid of Nuseirat by Israel.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains deplorable and with the shutdown of WFP, it has become very difficult to get food and other basic requirements into the Gaza Strip which continues to be blockaded. The silence continues to draw the interest of the international community which remains expectant of diplomatic intervention aimed at bringing ceasefire and continuation of humanitarian supplies.
