Jerusalem, 14 May 2021
The United Nations estimates that some 10,000 Palestinians have had to leave their homes in Gaza due to the ongoing hostilities. They are sheltering in schools, mosques and other places during a global COVID-19 pandemic with limited access to water, food, hygiene, and health services. Hospitals and access to water and sanitation services depend on electricity, the fuel for which will run out on Sunday.
The Israeli authorities and Palestinian armed groups must immediately allow the United Nations and our humanitarian partners to bring in fuel, food, and medical supplies and to deploy humanitarian personnel.
All parties must always adhere to international humanitarian and human rights laws.
I echo the Secretary-General in appealing for an immediate de-escalation and cessation of hostilities in Gaza and Israel. Too many innocent civilians have already lost their lives or been injured.
Ends
For a statement by Humanitarian Coordinator Lynn Hastings of 11 May 2021 on the escalation, see ochaopt.org/2021/hc-escalation.
For updates on the humanitarian impact of the current escalation and the role of the humanitarian community, see OCHA’s flash updates at ochaopt.org/publications/flash-updates.
For more information, please contact Ofir Feuerstein, feuerstein@un.org or +972 54 3311 836.
Document Sources: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the OPT, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)
Subject: Armed conflict, Assistance, Gaza Strip, Health, Human rights and international humanitarian law, Humanitarian relief, Internally displaced persons, Legal issues, Living conditions, Shelter, Violence
Publication Date: 14/05/2021
URL source: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/statement-humanitarian-coordinator-lynn-hastings