The United Nations issued a stark warning on Monday regarding the dire situation in the besieged Jabalya refugee camp in northern Gaza. The ongoing Israeli military campaign in the area has resulted in hundreds of casualties and has left thousands of people trapped without access to essential aid.
According to the UN, almost no humanitarian assistance is reaching the Jabalya camp due to the severe disruptions caused by air strikes, shelling, and fighting across northern Gaza. The violence has led to a growing number of displaced individuals, further exacerbating the crisis.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has been actively seeking permission to enter the Al-Faluja area of Jabalya to provide assistance to those trapped under rubble. However, Israeli authorities have denied these requests for four consecutive days, hindering relief efforts.
Furthermore, a recent request by OCHA to distribute vital supplies such as food, medicine, and fuel in the Jabalya camp was also denied. The lack of access to essential resources is putting the lives of many at risk, as emphasized by the UN spokesperson.
Despite claims by the Israeli agency COGAT that aid is reaching Gaza, the UN reports a significant decrease in the number of humanitarian missions facilitated by Israeli authorities. Only a fraction of the planned missions have been allowed to proceed, raising concerns about the impact of these delays on the vulnerable population.
The situation is particularly alarming given the sharp decline in the daily influx of aid trucks into Gaza. While COGAT asserts that 47 aid trucks were transferred to northern Gaza in the past 24 hours, this figure pales in comparison to the average of 500 trucks per day prior to October 7, 2023, as reported by the UN.
The UN's repeated calls for expedited aid delivery and access to the affected areas underscore the urgent need to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Jabalya. Without immediate intervention, the lives of countless individuals in the camp remain at risk.
