Gaza – The United Nations expresses concern about the closure of the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the Israeli authorities – after launching missile attacks towards Israel since last night – closed the Kerem Shalom crossing today, which is the only crossing through which shipments had entered during the past two weeks.

However, aid workers were allowed to collect shipments from the Palestinian side of the crossing. Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the United Nations, said that the Israeli authorities also closed the Rafah crossing.

In his daily press conference, Haq conveyed the Secretary-General’s call for the immediate resumption of large-scale humanitarian aid movement into and around Gaza.

He said that the Secretary-General urges the parties to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid urgently, safely and without obstacles, in accordance with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General stressed the importance of humanitarian aid for the survival and well-being of civilians in Gaza. Haq said that the humanitarian needs in Gaza remain enormous, and stressed the need to ensure sustainable, unhindered humanitarian access.

The United Nations and its partners are working around the clock to keep supplies flowing continuously and securely, despite the restrictions. However, these efforts cannot continue if the crossings remain closed, as the UN spokesman said.

Farhan Haq pointed out that civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza continue to be exposed to Israeli aerial bombardment, shelling and fire, which has led to casualties and destruction according to reports.

Violence continues in the West Bank

In the West Bank, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of the dangers of fragments from missile interceptions, as happened in previous incidents of regional escalation.

At the same time, Farhan Haq said that violence continues to affect Palestinians across the West Bank. He added that Israeli forces shot and killed a 7-month-old Palestinian baby in the city of Hebron and wounded his parents when their car came under fire as it approached an Israeli patrol. The Israeli authorities have indicated that they will investigate the incident.

In Nablus, Israeli forces stormed Balata refugee camp yesterday and arrested a Palestinian. Clashes with residents during the operation led to injuries and exposure to tear gas.

The United Nations spokesman stressed the need to protect the Palestinians in the West Bank, as stipulated in the law, and to hold those responsible for violations accountable.