UN Official Calls for the Restoration of Dignity for Gaza Residents

SadaNews - The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs said late Thursday to Friday that the residents of Gaza deserve to have their "dignity" restored instead of merely surviving, criticizing Israel for hindering the distribution of humanitarian aid.

Tom Fletcher acknowledged in a speech to the UN Security Council that the flow of aid has improved since a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas took effect on October 10, with an average of 100 shipments entering the territory daily.

However, he added, "these fragile gains are the bare minimum of what Palestinians need and what we can provide (...) and what international law requires."

Fletcher continued, "We cannot allow our aspirations and our will to be that children receive enough calories to survive while avoiding constant bombardment, still suffering from hunger, rat bites, homelessness, and lack of education."

He affirmed, "Merely silencing the guns is not enough (...) we must restore dignity."

Fletcher called for the opening of all crossings leading to Gaza and the immediate lifting of Israeli restrictions on the entry of goods, such as medical supplies and fuel.

Bushra Khalidi, the Global Humanitarian Policy Lead at Oxfam, who was invited to address the council, urged member states to act "quickly, courageously, and humanely."