UN humanitarian chief urges Israel to open more crossings into Gaza | BBC News

Key Concepts

• Starvation Crisis in Gaza: The severe lack of food and essential supplies leading to widespread malnutrition.
• Ceasefire Deal: An agreement to halt hostilities, which has facilitated increased aid delivery.
• Humanitarian Aid: Essential supplies such as food, medical supplies, fuel, and tents.
• Malnutrition Cases: Instances of individuals suffering from insufficient nutrition.
• Road Clearing and Infrastructure: Efforts to remove rubble and debris to enable aid delivery and rebuilding.
• Hostage Recovery: The process of locating and returning the bodies of individuals held captive.
• Commercial Market Revival: The re-establishment of normal trade and availability of goods.
• Reconstruction and Hope: The long-term goal of rebuilding Gaza and restoring a sense of optimism.

Humanitarian Situation and Aid Delivery in Gaza

The UN's humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, reports a positive shift in the starvation crisis in Gaza, attributing it to an increase in humanitarian aid following a ceasefire deal. He notes a decline in malnutrition cases and an average of approximately 600 trucks entering Gaza daily, carrying vital supplies like food, medical items, and fuel. However, Fletcher emphasizes that this is insufficient to meet the population's needs, stating, "much more is needed to meet the requirements of the population."

On-the-Ground Observations

Fletcher's firsthand account from Gaza City paints a grim picture of widespread devastation. He describes Gaza as a "wasteland" with "rubble" where people are searching for bodies and attempting to identify their destroyed homes. He recounts meeting a grandmother who apologized for not being able to offer a cup of tea due to her home's destruction, highlighting the "dignity and the resolve of so many people here to rebuild but also the utter utter devastation." The task ahead is described as "enormous" and "overwhelming," focusing on stabilizing the situation, halting starvation, reopening hospitals, and resuming education for children.

Challenges and Progress in Operations

Resuming operations in Gaza City has been "immensely challenging." Roads previously blocked by "rubble and by dead bodies and by the carnage of war" are now being cleared, including the crucial north-south artery, the Al-Rashid road. This effort is described as a "huge job."

Aid Influx and Targets

The ceasefire deal has led to a significant increase in aid, with hundreds of trucks entering daily and thousands weekly. This is a substantial improvement from the pre-ceasefire period. A 60-day plan is in place with the aim of providing meals to one million people daily. A bakery visited by Fletcher was producing 300,000 loaves of bread per day. Efforts are also underway to revive the health sector, with UNICEF supporting a hospital, and to get 700,000 children back into school, alongside the delivery of thousands of tents for the upcoming winter.

Fletcher confirms that the target of around 600 trucks of aid per day is being met on average. Approximately half of the UN's aid consists of food, with significant amounts of medical supplies and tents also being delivered. Fuel has been crucial, enabling the operation of various projects. The recent delivery of cooking gas for the first time in months has made a tangible difference in people's lives.

Despite the increased aid, Fletcher stresses the need for an "avalanche of aid over the weeks ahead" and sustained international attention. Beyond immediate humanitarian needs, the focus must shift to "how do we reconstruct Gaza and that how do we rebuild and ultimately how do we rebuild hope?"

Reducing Hunger Levels

Fletcher reports a positive trend in nutrition centers, where malnutrition cases have decreased from 50% a week prior to approximately 30%. He states, "we are turning the tide on the starvation crisis here in Gaza." However, he reiterates the need for all crossings to be open, for NGO partners to be registered, and for "much, much more aid to come in." The goal is an "outpouring of generosity to fill the pipeline of aid and get our convoys full of food." The revival of the commercial market, with people desperate for basic items like eggs and water, is also a priority.

Hostage Recovery and Related Disputes

The transcript also touches upon the recovery of bodies of hostages. Israel confirmed that the body returned by Hamas overnight was identified as 75-year-old Eli Yahu Margalit, who was killed during the October 7th attack. His body was taken to Gaza and later collected by the Red Cross. The remains of 18 further hostages are still in Gaza.

Hamas claims to be struggling to access the remains of hostages believed to be under rubble, requiring heavy equipment. An international team with intelligence from Israel has entered Gaza to assist in locating these bodies.

Accusations and Delays

Israeli authorities accuse Hamas of deliberately delaying the return of bodies, stating that Hamas possesses information on the location of 18 of the 28 deceased hostages, yet only 10 have been transferred. This dispute has cast a shadow over the ceasefire deal.

Aid Surge Amidst Disputes

Despite these tensions, the ceasefire deal includes a surge in humanitarian aid. Tom Fletcher confirms that aid is moving into Gaza at scale, with trucks carrying food, medicine, and tents. The UN is on track to deliver one million meals daily, and American officials report an average of 500 trucks entering Gaza daily in the last week.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The situation in Gaza is characterized by a dual focus: addressing the immediate humanitarian crisis and working towards long-term recovery. While the ceasefire deal has significantly improved aid delivery and begun to alleviate the starvation crisis, with malnutrition rates falling, the scale of devastation requires an "avalanche of aid" and sustained international commitment. The clearing of infrastructure and the revival of essential services like hospitals and schools are critical steps. Simultaneously, the recovery of hostage bodies and the associated disputes highlight the complex and sensitive nature of the conflict. The ultimate goal is not only to rebuild Gaza physically but also to restore hope and allow its population to "start again."