Briefing official says Gaza is 'unlivable'; urges focus on deliveries not truck counts

Miss Cog, the briefing official addressing Security Council members, said Friday that life in Gaza had become "unlivable," warning of high risks of disease, displaced families living in tents and children out of school. "It is hell on earth," she said, describing a deteriorating humanitarian picture that, she said, worsens with each passing day.

Asked whether there was any prospect of moving toward a ceasefire after what an attendee called a "very, very gloomy" assessment, Miss Cog said she would not speculate about negotiations. "I did not speak about ceasefire or prospects of a ceasefire," she said, adding that she was not part of those talks and could not "second guess" negotiators. She told the council the reporting cycle tied to the Security Council resolution is an instrument for members to deliberate on next steps and noted she serves "at the pleasure of the Secretary General."

Journalist Ibtisam Azim Al Arabil (Jadid newspaper) asked the official to reconcile competing claims: she said the Israeli ambassador had asserted there was "enough aid and food" in Gaza, while Algerian and Russian ambassadors said fewer trucks and less aid had entered since adoption of Security Council resolution 2720. Miss Cog responded that UN reporting focuses not only on trucks that reach border crossings but on what aid is actually retrieved and distributed inside Gaza. She cited obstacles including ongoing fighting, evacuation orders, security incidents, denials and delays at crossings that prevent aid from reaching people in need.

"Some of it can be supplies accumulating at [border crossings]," she said, naming crossings as recorded in the transcript, and added that accumulation at the border does not matter if people inside Gaza cannot retrieve or access it. "From the first time I took on this role for 2720, I've said we should stop counting trucks. It's not about trucks. It's about what people need in its totality as fellow human beings," she said, urging a focus on distribution and dignity.

A reporter identified as Javier (FA News) asked about cooperation with Israeli authorities. Miss Cog said the mission had "constructive meetings" and received facilitation, including visas, and that she had met with Prime Minister Netanyahu and members of his war cabinet as well as the chief of staff. "My mission has received the facilitation we've required to do our work," she said.

The briefing closed with brief thanks from reporters and the official. The Security Council is expected to continue deliberations about the reporting cycle and next steps under the resolution; the briefing did not produce a change in mandate or a new, publicly announced negotiating position.