Israel continues to deny aid access to UN in Gaza Strip

A UNRWA official demanded an independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard of humanitarian workers, operations, and facilities, all protected under international law

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) affirmed that the Israeli entity continues to deny UN humanitarian access to Gaza.

“Just this week, they have denied - for the second time- my entry to Gaza where I planned to be with our UNRWA teams including those on the front lines,” the UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini said.

“We have recorded 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys, arrests of UN staff including bullying, stripping them naked, threats with arms and long delays at checkpoints forcing convoys to move during the dark or abort,” he added.

The UNRWA CommissionerGeneral explained that “these incidents happen repeatedly at the time we are engaged in a race against the clock to avert famine in Gaza. It also creates fear among courageous and committed humanitarian teams.” Since the beginning of the war, the UN including UNRWA and other humanitarian personnel, premises and operations have been blatantly disregarded.

“I demand an independent investigation and accountability for the blatant disregard of humanitarian workers, operations, and facilities, all protected under international law,” he said.

“To do otherwise would set a dangerous precedent and compromise humanitarian work around the world,” he added.

He called on the Israeli Authorities to facilitate humanitarian access across the Gaza Strip including to the north, considering that the denial of humanitarian access is a violation of humanitarian law.

Israeli forces intensify airstrikes

The occupation warplanes and artillery intensified on Monday their bombardment on various areas of the cities of Gaza and Rafah.

The occupation warplanes carried out intense airstrikes on the eastern areas of the city of Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets further targeted the vicinity of Gaza (Yasser Arafat) International Airport and the Al-Shoka neighbourhood, east of the city of Rafah.

Moving to the city of Gaza, a Palestinian journalist who was identified as Mustafa Ayyad was killed after being targeted by a missile from a drone in the AlZaytoun neighbourhood, southeast of the city.

Additionally, occupation artillery also targeted multiple homes in the vicinity of Street 8 in the AlZaytoun neighbourhood.

Israeli military tanks and vehicles intensively opened gunfire towards civilian’s homes in the Sheikh Ajlin area, southwest of the city.