New York (Web Desk): A senior official from the United Nations (UN) has sharply criticized Israeli authorities for obstructing vital humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip, condemning the tactics that have turned the aid system into a “weapon.”
Georgios Petropoulos, who leads the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, expressed deep frustration over Israel’s restrictions on aid access, which have severely hampered efforts to assist millions of people caught in the ongoing conflict.
Speaking via video link, Petropoulos stated that the Israeli authorities’ refusal to open multiple access points for humanitarian supplies has made the delivery of essential goods, including food, water, and medical supplies, a near-impossible task.
He described the situation as one of profound human suffering, with over two million Palestinians facing worsening conditions in what he called “the most dangerous place on earth right now.”
The restrictions imposed by Israeli forces have led to numerous obstacles in the delivery of aid. Petropoulos detailed how critical supplies were being delayed, and in some cases looted, particularly in areas under Israeli control.
He noted that even when aid is able to make it through, it is often destroyed in subsequent bombings.
The resulting shortages in food, water, medical supplies, and fuel have left Gaza’s population in desperate need, facing shortages of everything from basic necessities to life-saving medical care.
"The system is failing," Petropoulos said. "When we raise these issues with the Israeli authorities, they reject nearly every practical solution we propose."
He added that this refusal to cooperate has left humanitarian workers in Gaza facing increasingly difficult choices, such as deciding whether to prioritize food and water or materials to provide shelter and protection against the harsh conditions.
Petropoulos also highlighted the intense military operations that have escalated in the northern parts of Gaza, where ongoing bombardments and sieges have led to mass casualties, the destruction of entire neighborhoods, and the displacement of countless families.
The area, he explained, has been under siege for over two months, and access has become more and more restricted. Requests for humanitarian access, including basic needs like food and medical supplies, have been denied time and again.
"Access is becoming more and more difficult," he said, noting that humanitarian teams have had to wait for days to gain permission to deliver essential supplies. And even when they succeed, the supplies often fail to reach those who need them most due to the ongoing violence and destruction.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a new level of urgency, with Petropoulos calling on the international community to take immediate action.
He urged all nations to enforce international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians during conflict and the unimpeded access of humanitarian aid.
"We need to be able to reach people wherever they are," he said. "The focus must be on ensuring the survival and dignity of people, not just the number of trucks delivering aid."
Petropoulos also reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that the lack of a resolution to the conflict is only prolonging the suffering of Gaza’s population. The UN’s ability to respond to the crisis is rapidly diminishing, with no adequate reserves left, and humanitarian workers are now operating on a “hand-to-mouth” basis.
The UN, led by Secretary-General António Guterres, has consistently warned about the worsening humanitarian disaster in Gaza, urging all parties involved to comply with international law and prioritize the safety and well-being of civilians.
With the situation growing ever more dire, humanitarian organizations are struggling to provide the aid that is so desperately needed, and the international community is being urged to act before the crisis reaches an irreversible tipping point.