Humanitarian Crisis in the Gaza Strip and International Aid

Humanitarian Tragedy in the Gaza Strip

Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP) under the United Nations (UN), mentioned the humanitarian tragedy in the northern Gaza Strip, stating, “There is hunger in the north, there is absolute hunger and it is spreading southward.” While Israel is killing thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip with its attacks, hunger and thirst are spreading throughout the region, especially in the north.

Statement by COGAT

COGAT denied the claims. The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), a unit of the Israeli army responsible for coordinating government activities in the Palestinian Territories, issued a statement refuting McCain’s words. The statement by COGAT mentioned that “the Israeli government has increased humanitarian aid efforts to provide food, medical supplies, and equipment for tents to the Gaza Strip in recent months.”

International Coordination

The statement highlighted that COGAT has been coordinating with the international community, including UN agencies operating in the Gaza Strip in recent weeks. It was stated that “100 trucks carrying humanitarian aid materials, primarily food, are sent to the north of the Gaza Strip every day. The number of aid trucks sent to the north of the Gaza Strip is higher compared to those sent to the south, proportionate to the population.”

Demands of International Stakeholders

“International stakeholders are requesting a reduction in the scope of transported goods.” The statement conveyed that Israel has been leading significant efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in the north and south of the region in recent weeks. It was mentioned that “international stakeholders have noted an improvement in the situation, with various goods found in warehouses and markets in the north. Given the improved situation, and as the quantities sent are disproportionately high relative to the population, they are requesting a reduction in the scope of goods transported to the north of the Gaza Strip.”