The United Nations has issued a stark warning to Israel, threatening to suspend all humanitarian operations in the besieged Gaza Strip unless the safety of aid workers is significantly improved. This drastic measure comes as the World Food Programme has already ceased aid shipments from a US-built pier due to the ongoing conflict and security concerns. Human Rights Watch has reported that Israeli forces have targeted known aid worker locations at least eight times since October, resulting in the deaths of 193 UNRWA workers and 250 aid workers in total. Amidst these developments, the Palestinian death toll has escalated to at least 37,658, with recent airstrikes targeting two schools and a refugee camp in Gaza City, killing dozens, including 10 family members of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh. The Israeli military has also advanced into the western part of Rafah, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. In response to the growing chaos and lawlessness, the UN has demanded that Israel provide aid workers with a way to communicate directly with Israeli forces on the ground. The US has urged Israel to do more to protect Palestinian civilians and humanitarian aid workers. Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi announced that a new policy for the Gaza Strip will be revealed in the coming days, focusing on finding an alternative to Hamas’ rule, with international community support, including the UN, European, and moderate Arab countries. However, Hamas has rejected Israel’s plans for the future of the Gaza Strip, affirming that its fate will be determined by the Palestinian people. The situation in the region remains tense, with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warning of catastrophic consequences for Lebanon if a war with Hezbollah is provoked. The UN has also highlighted the severe obstacles to accessing humanitarian aid, which have pushed the people of Gaza to the brink of famine, with nearly 96% of the population (2.1 million people) facing high levels of acute food insecurity.
Key points
- The UN warns it may suspend humanitarian operations in Gaza if Israel does not improve the safety of aid workers.
- Recent Israeli airstrikes have targeted schools and a refugee camp in Gaza, contributing to a death toll that has now reached at least 37,658.
- Israeli officials, in collaboration with the US, are working on a strategy to establish an alternative to Hamas’ governance in Gaza.
