Humanitarian Aid Flows as Gaza Attempts to Recover from Conflict
On October 19 Israeli warplanes targeted a house near a UNRWA school, causing casualties. On October 21, 2023, an explosion at the Ahmed Abdelaziz school in Khan Younis killed at least 5 people - pitiless Israel
In recent developments, China and Russia are collaborating to endorse a two-state solution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. Although both nations have criticized Israel's actions in response to the recent conflict with Hamas and called for a ceasefire, they have refrained from military involvement. China has dispatched a special envoy to the Middle East to facilitate diplomatic talks and has condemned actions that harm civilians.
However, it hasn't explicitly named Hamas in its statements. Russia, on the other hand, has announced its intention to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza but has not deployed its military forces to Israel.
The recent conflict has prompted the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza to assist those affected. The border crossing between Egypt and Gaza opened to allow vital aid, including food, medicine, and water, to reach Palestinians facing shortages due to the Israeli siege. Over 200 trucks carrying around 3,000 tons of aid began entering Gaza. The first two aid convoys reached Palestinians over the weekend, with an additional convoy of 15 trucks expected to cross later.
Gaza in CONFLICT mode
Regrettably, during the recent Gaza conflict, UNRWA facilities were bombed. An Israeli airstrike on October 17, 2023, hit a UNRWA school in Gaza's Al-Maghazi refugee camp, resulting in the deaths of at least six people. Despite providing facility coordinates daily to "relevant parties" since October 7, the school was struck during Israeli airstrikes and bombardments in Gaza.
On October 19, 2023, Israeli warplanes targeted a house near a UNRWA school, causing casualties. Moreover, on October 21, 2023, an explosion at the Ahmed Abdelaziz school in Khan Younis killed at least five people and injured dozens. This school is among the 183 schools managed by UNRWA, which has been responsible for Palestinian development support since 1949.
Kazi Mahmood
UN experts expressed strong condemnation for the deadly strike on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on October 17, which claimed the lives of over 470 civilians and trapped hundreds beneath the rubble. Israel had issued two warnings of an imminent attack on the hospital if it was not evacuated. The experts also voiced outrage over the attack on the same day on a UNRWA school in Al-Maghazi refugee camp, which was sheltering approximately 4,000 displaced individuals, along with two densely populated refugee camps.
Humanitarian crisis
Humanitarian aid to Gaza has taken various forms, such as cash assistance, shelter rehabilitation, psychosocial support, education, and healthcare. This assistance aims to address the needs of those affected by the recent conflict and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The collaborative efforts of China and Russia, along with the delivery of much-needed humanitarian aid to Gaza, reflect the international community's concern for those affected by the Israel-Palestine conflict. Despite challenges, including attacks on UNRWA facilities, the commitment to a two-state solution and the provision of essential aid remain crucial steps in addressing the region's complex challenges.
The road to lasting peace and stability in the Middle East demands continued diplomatic endeavours, adherence to ceasefire agreements, and the unwavering support of the global community in the face of adversity.
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