Tom Fletcher visits Gaza and confirms the United Nations’ determination to increase aid

Fletcher visited Al Qalaa Bakery, one of nine bakeries supported by the World Food Program with fuel and ingredients. According to the United Nations, this bakery was previously the largest bakery in Khan Yunis, serving thousands of families before it was forced to move due to an Israeli displacement order.

The ceasefire allowed the bakery to obtain fuel and flour, enabling it to produce up to 300,000 loaves of bread per day.

Meeting humanitarian workers in Gaza

Also in Deir al-Balah, Mr. Fletcher met with UN staff and humanitarian partners who have worked hard over the past two years. He is scheduled to meet more relief workers later Friday evening and spend the night in the Gaza Strip.

In a post on social media, Mr. Fletcher said that humanitarian teams are implementing the 60-day plan set by the United Nations for a massive expansion of life-saving work.

He pointed out that the challenges ahead are grave, but stressed the determination of the United Nations to realize the humanitarian potential offered by US President Donald Trump’s peace deal.

Before heading to Gaza, Mr. Fletcher was in Egypt. While he was in Rafah yesterday, Thursday, he saw trucks loaded with aid heading to the Kerem Shalom crossing. He thanked the humanitarian teams, the Egyptian Red Crescent, the authorities, and everyone who participated in achieving the peace deal.

Mr. Fletcher also visited Al-Arish Hospital in Egypt yesterday, Thursday, which treated hundreds of Palestinians evacuated from Gaza to receive medical care.

Relief efforts on the ground

In Gaza, the United Nations and its partners continued, yesterday, Thursday, collecting medical supplies, food, fuel and other shipments from the Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings. This included 20 trucks carrying tents, diapers and hygiene kits, another three trucks loaded with personal hygiene kits, eight tankers loaded with diesel, and two trucks carrying animal feed, which will be distributed to shepherds in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported that more can be achieved once more crossings are opened, basic infrastructure is restored, NGO access is facilitated, and looting is reduced.

Meanwhile, families in Gaza continue to move towards newly available areas. Humanitarian partners monitoring the flow of people across the Gaza Strip reported more than 17,600 movements from south to north on Wednesday, and 12,900 movements from west to east of Khan Yunis.