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Middle East, Asia Urge Israel to Lift Gaza Aid Blockade Amid Deadly Winter

Middle Eastern and Asian foreign ministers have issued a joint statement urging Israel to allow "immediate, full, and unhindered" humanitarian aid into Gaza amid harsh winter conditions. They warn that flooded camps, damaged tents, and freezing temperatures have left nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians extremely vulnerable, with children already succumbing to hypothermia. The statement calls on the international community to pressure Israel, as the occupying power, to lift restrictions on essential supplies like shelter materials, medical aid, and fuel. This appeal comes despite a U.S.-mediated ceasefire condition requiring daily aid trucks, a provision Israel has failed to fulfill as the humanitarian situation deteriorates.

Key Points: Nations Urge Israel to Lift Gaza Aid Restrictions in Winter

  • Nations demand immediate aid access
  • Winter storms worsen crisis
  • Israel blocking required aid trucks
  • Children dying from hypothermia
2 min read

Middle Eastern, Asian nations urge Israel to lift Gaza aid restrictions amid harsh winter

Middle Eastern and Asian nations call for immediate, full aid to Gaza as winter storms worsen the humanitarian crisis for 1.9 million displaced Palestinians.

"Flooded camps, damaged tents... have significantly heightened risks to civilian lives. - Joint Ministerial Statement"

Gaza, January 3

Middle Eastern and Asian nations have urged Israel to permit "immediate, full, and unhindered" humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza Strip, which is facing harsh winter storms lashing the Palestinian enclave, Al Jazeera reported.

In a statement on Friday, the foreign ministers of Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan warned that worsening conditions in Gaza have left nearly 1.9 million displaced Palestinians extremely vulnerable.

"Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of damaged buildings, and exposure to cold temperatures coupled with malnutrition, have significantly heightened risks to civilian lives," the statement read.

They urged the international community to "press Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately remove restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential items, including tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel, and sanitation supplies," Al Jazeera reported.

Despite its obligations under international law to meet the basic needs of Palestinians in Gaza, Israel has continued to impose strict limits on humanitarian assistance, Al Jazeera reported.

Under a ceasefire mediated by the United States that began in October between Israel and Hamas, Israeli authorities were required to allow hundreds of aid trucks into Gaza each day.

However, Israel has not complied with this condition, continuing to block aid deliveries even as winter conditions worsen and access to adequate shelter, blankets, and other necessities remains insufficient in the territory.

Several Palestinian families have been forced to take shelter in temporary structures and overcrowded tent camps across Gaza after their homes were destroyed in Israel's ongoing military campaign, Al Jazeera reported.

In recent weeks, several people have died when weakened buildings collapsed due to heavy rain and flooding. Children in the enclave have also succumbed to hypothermia as freezing temperatures persist.

Separately, Israeli forces killed one Palestinian and injured several others on Friday in an area west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Nasser Hospital said, quoted by Al Jazeera.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A very complex issue. While humanitarian suffering is tragic, we must also remember the security concerns Israel cites. However, blocking tents and medical supplies in winter is hard to justify. The international community, including powers like the US, needs to ensure the ceasefire terms are actually followed.
A
Aman W
Where is the UN in all this? This is a clear failure. India has provided medical aid in past conflicts, maybe we can lead a neutral humanitarian corridor effort? The statement from these nations is good, but action is needed. Winter won't wait for diplomacy. ❄️
S
Sarah B
Respectfully, the article only presents one side from Al Jazeera. I'd like to see the Israeli government's stated reasons for the restrictions. There's always more to the story in such conflicts. That said, no civilian, especially a child, should die from cold or lack of clean water.
K
Karthik V
Seeing Indonesia and Pakistan in the statement is notable. When regional powers unite on a humanitarian issue, it carries weight. India's position is always balanced, but I hope our foreign policy prioritizes human life above all. Jai Hind.
N
Nisha Z
The conditions described—flooded camps, collapsed buildings—are a man-made disaster on top of a war. It's 2024. How can we allow this? As an Indian, our value of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) should guide our response. We must urge for immediate aid.

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