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U.N. reiterates call for ceasefire as aid stocks poised for Gaza, warns of deteriorating conditions
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Summary
The U.N. spokesperson said food, medicine and shelter supplies are ready to enter Gaza but warned crossings must open and safe movement be allowed; the briefing also detailed rising civilian harm, killed aid workers, and WHO evacuations of critically ill newborns.
The United Nations reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza during a press briefing Friday.
The U.N. spokesperson said emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher has reported some 170,000 metric tons of food, medicine, shelter and other supplies poised to enter Gaza, but added that “for the humanitarian plan to succeed…we need to open crossings, safe movements for civilians and aid workers, unrestricted entry of goods, visas for staff, the space for humanitarians to operate, and the private sector to be revived.”
Why it matters: the spokesperson framed that logistical and security conditions are prerequisites for large-scale aid deliveries the U.N. and partners say are already staged in the region.
The briefing described a rapidly deteriorating situation in northern Gaza. The spokesperson said heavy strikes and military operations are driving up civilian deaths, damaging residential areas and hospitals, and that aid workers are among those killed. The spokesperson cited a reported death of a Médecins Sans Frontières staff member in a strike and said that at least 562 aid workers have been killed since Oct. 7, including 376 U.N. staff members, as reported to the U.N. Secretariat.
Health operations: the World Health Organization led a mission to evacuate three critically ill newborns from Al Helu Hospital in Gaza City to Al Aqsa Hospital in Darrel Bala to receive lifesaving care; one additional infant scheduled for transfer died before the mission arrived, the spokesperson said. The spokesperson also said Al Aqsa Hospital is overwhelmed and facing severe medical supply shortages.
Security and law: the spokesperson reiterated that Israel, as occupying power, has obligations to ensure civilians’ needs are met and called on all parties to allow the protection of civilians, health-care personnel and unhindered access to aid.
No ceasefire agreement or new access arrangements were announced during the briefing. The spokesperson said the U.N. remains ready to scale up assistance if safe access and agreed procedures are in place.
