Gaza: As aid trucks make their way into Gaza, recent videos of Israeli hostages and an attack on Red Crescent staffers have ignited global outrage. On both Thursday and Saturday, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas militants released videos of two Israeli hostages, Rom Braslavsk and Evyatar David. These videos have drawn widespread condemnation, including from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who expressed his shock at this violation of human dignity during a briefing in New York.
According to United Nations, the Israeli military reportedly targeted the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s headquarters in Khan Younis on Sunday, resulting in the death of one staff member and injuries to three others. The facility, marked with the Red Crescent emblem, is protected under international humanitarian law. The UN rights office in Palestine expressed deep shock over the attack, emphasizing the critical role these workers play in life-saving efforts.
In the wake of these events, the World Health Organization has been active on the ground. Since Friday, 24 trucks carrying medical supplies, essential medicines, and other necessities have entered Gaza. Despite these efforts, UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq noted that the challenges on the ground remain significant, with much of the aid being seized by desperate populations before reaching its intended destinations.
The World Food Programme has highlighted the severe food crisis affecting Gaza. Over half a million people are experiencing famine-like conditions. Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General for UNRWA, pointed to the deliberate dismantling of the UN-coordinated humanitarian system by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by Israel and the US, as a primary factor. This has significantly hindered UNRWA’s ability to deliver aid since early March.