Aid efforts in Gaza thwarted by Israeli access restrictions, OCHA declares
The United Nations humanitarian agency, OCHA, has revealed persistent barriers to delivering critical aid to the northern Gaza Strip, where residents in Jabalia, Beit Lahiya, and Beit Hanoon remain in dire need of assistance.
Despite ongoing efforts, the agency faces significant obstacles imposed by Israeli authorities.
“Between 1 and 25 November, the UN attempted to reach these besieged areas 41 times,” OCHA said in its latest update.
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“Thirty-seven of these attempts were outright denied, while four were initially approved, but then severely impeded on the ground such that the assistance could not be delivered to people trapped in the besieged area,” OCHA said.
The challenges extend beyond northern Gaza. According to OCHA, aid operations in Rafah governorate have been similarly obstructed, where an ongoing Israeli military operation since May has further complicated access.
“Coordinated aid missions to areas in [the] Rafah governorate, where there has been an ongoing Israeli military operation since early May, have faced similar challenges,” OCHA noted.
The lack of access to critical regions has left thousands of civilians without essential resources such as food, water, and medical aid.
OCHA continues to appeal for cooperation to ensure life-saving aid reaches all affected areas, emphasizing the urgency of coordinated efforts to address this escalating humanitarian crisis.
Israel’s relentless bombardments of Gaza have killed at least 44,249 Palestinians and wounded 104,746 others since October 7, 2023. At least 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the Hamas-led attacks that day, and more than 200 were taken captive.
