The situation in Gaza is dire, and the international community, including Israel, must act urgently to avert a humanitarian catastrophe. The latest assessment of hunger in Gaza paints a heart-wrenching picture, with 9 out of every 10 Palestinians in northern Gaza potentially eating less than one meal a day, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
As the scale of suffering escalates, particularly among Gaza’s youth, we cannot afford to delay action. Families are displaced, sanitation is scarce, and disease looms. With almost 40% of Gaza’s population under the age of 15, the prospects of death and despair haunting children’s lives are intolerable.
In addressing this crisis, there are crucial steps that must be taken immediately. While calls for an immediate ceasefire resonate, a sustainable ceasefire that eliminates the constant threat of war for future generations is the ultimate goal. This entails addressing the root causes, including Hamas’s rocket attacks and commitment to terror.
Recognizing the need for urgent humanitarian intervention, I have advocated for additional humanitarian pauses to facilitate the safe distribution of aid into Gaza. The Royal Navy, France, and Jordan have already taken commendable steps, delivering blankets and life-saving medical supplies. However, the need is vast, and we must explore more effective means of aid delivery.
Currently, about 200 trucks enter Gaza daily via the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings. While this is an improvement, it falls short of the required 500 trucks. To alleviate the crisis, we must extend opening hours, increase capacity at screening facilities, and expedite the entry of aid. Opening Kerem Shalom seven days a week and exploring additional routes for aid delivery are essential measures.
To streamline aid delivery, we need greater consistency in goods allowed into Gaza. Transparent explanations from Israel about restrictions would enable governments, aid organizations, and the private sector to scale up assistance. Simultaneously, restoring water supply lines, reconnecting electricity, and allowing sufficient fuel for critical infrastructure are imperative steps.
A crucial aspect is supporting the United Nations in managing aid distribution within Gaza. Visa facilitation and the importation of vehicles for UN staff are essential for ensuring effective and safe distribution.
While technical, these measures are pragmatic solutions that can save lives. Our focus must be on practical actions rather than empty slogans. The time to act is now, and Israel’s cooperation in opening crossings and facilitating aid is pivotal in averting a greater humanitarian catastrophe.
By David Cameron, The Right Honorable Foreign Secretary
This article was originally published in The Guardian and the Israeli newspaper Haaretz.
