New York, May 19 (Petra) – UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher said on Monday that only nine aid trucks were allowed into Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem crossing by Israeli authorities, calling the delivery “a drop in an ocean of urgent needs.”

In a statement, Fletcher stressed the need to allow significantly more humanitarian aid into Gaza starting Tuesday, noting he had received assurances that his work would be facilitated through established and proven mechanisms.

Fletcher reiterated his determination to ensure aid reaches those most in need while minimizing the risk of diversion. He said humanitarian agencies must be enabled to deliver assistance under all circumstances.

“The limited aid currently permitted into Gaza is no substitute for unhindered humanitarian access to civilians in desperate need,” Fletcher said.

He emphasized that the UN has a clear, principled, and practical plan to save lives on a large scale, and that humanitarian agencies are ready to scale up efforts. To make this possible, he urged Israeli authorities to open at least two crossings into Gaza one in the north and one in the south streamline and expedite procedures, lift quotas, remove internal restrictions, and avoid attacks during aid distribution operations.

Fletcher also highlighted the need to cover a broad range of humanitarian needs, including food, water, sanitation, shelter, health, fuel, and gas. He stressed the importance of sustained aid flows, allowing humanitarian workers access through multiple routes, and permitting commercial goods to support the overall humanitarian response.

//Petra// AF
19/05/2025 22:18:37