In light of the uncertainty over the potential ceasefire in Gaza and the military escalation in Rafah, UN agencies have expressed serious concern about the continued closure of the two main crossings into the Gaza Strip.
The closure of the Rafah and Kerem Shalom crossings was followed by an urgent appeal from the Secretary-General of the United Nations on Monday evening to both the government of Israel and the leadership of the Hamas movement to make every effort necessary to reach an agreement and not waste the opportunity. He said that a ground invasion in Rafah would be intolerable due to its devastating humanitarian consequences and its destabilizing impact on the region.
Jens Laerke, spokesman for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that the Israeli authorities did not allow access to the Rafah crossing. He added: “Currently, we do not have a presence at the Rafah crossing to carry out coordination work, as this was rejected by Kogat (the Israeli governmental body responsible for coordination). This means that the two main crossings for bringing relief into Gaza are closed.”
Larquet warned – in a press conference in Geneva – that the humanitarian supplies in Gaza may only last for a day, and said that the Rafah crossing is the only entry point for fuel, the shortage of which will lead to the cessation of trucks and communication equipment.
“If fuel does not enter for a long period of time, it will lead to the extinction of humanitarian operations,” the OCHA spokesperson said.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that a large-scale military operation in Rafah will significantly complicate the delivery of humanitarian aid. “If the Rafah crossing is closed for an extended period, it is difficult to understand how relief agencies will be able to avoid famine across Gaza,” said UNICEF spokesman James Alder. “The ability of families to cope has been shattered. Families are hanging psychologically and physically by a thread.” Regarding his recent work period in Gaza, he said that he had not met a family that had not lost a home, a loved one, or both.
