“Our humanitarian colleagues report that despite Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, aid partners are scaling up efforts,” he mentioned, highlighting strikes near the ‘Yellow Line’ buffer zone marked by the Israeli military under the ceasefire agreement.
“We emphasize again that all parties must avoid actions endangering civilians, including aid workers.”
Despite instability, UN operations have transported substantial relief supplies into the region. Through the UN’s 2720 delivery mechanism authorized by the Security Council, over 24,000 metric tonnes of aid—food, medicine, nutritional supplements, and shelter materials—have been sourced from Gaza crossings since the truce’s start weeks ago.
Looting subsides
Encouragingly, looting and aid interception have significantly decreased. Only 5% of supplies were intercepted between October 10 and 28, compared to around 80% before the ceasefire.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also supplied over 840 pallets of vital medical supplies, including insulin, surgical kits, and crucial medicines, and is assisting in nutrition services for roughly 2,500 children.
However, Mr. Dujarric cautioned that Gaza’s health system remains “under immense strain,” with the local Ministry of Health reporting over 1,700 health worker fatalities since the war began.
On education, agencies aim to restore “minimum teaching and learning conditions” for more than 630,000 school-aged children who’ve missed over two years of education.
Over 90 classrooms have been restored, although Israeli restrictions on educational materials continue to impede efforts.
“We continue to call for all crossing points to be open and for more UN agencies and organizations to be authorized to deliver aid supplies into Gaza,” Mr. Dujarric stated.
Fragile window to resume food production
Despite devastating damage to Gaza’s farmlands, the current ceasefire has created a crucial yet delicate opportunity to restart food production, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and satellite agency UNOSAT announced on Thursday.
Recent satellite analysis reveals that nearly 87% of cropland, 80% of greenhouses, and almost 87% of irrigation wells have been damaged since the conflict began. However, the pause in hostilities has provided access to 37% of affected farmland—about 600 hectares remain undamaged—allowing farmers to begin the rehabilitation of their land.
“The ceasefire has opened a window of opportunity,” stated FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol. “Immediate support is essential to restore agricultural land and infrastructure, enable fresh food production resumption, and rebuild fisheries and livestock so that families can become self-sustaining again.”
FAO emphasized that rebuilding food systems now could help stabilize livelihoods and prevent deeper hunger in Gaza.
However, its $75 million recovery support appeal is only 10% funded, underscoring the urgent need for international support to seize this fleeting moment of hope amidst widespread devastation.
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