The recent approval of a resolution to demand a ceasefire in Gaza resumed efforts and negotiations at the United Nations to stop the bloody conflict that has lasted for more than eight months.
This week, the UN Security Council gave the green light to a proposal presented by the United States that seeks a complete end to the war in three phases.
The resolution, approved by 14 favorable votes and the abstention of Russia, hopes to establish negotiations in accordance with the plan announced by US President Joe Biden.
The text urges the parties to agree “without delay and without conditions” on an initial six-week truce, although as on previous occasions, it lacks any condemnation of Israel despite the fact that its offensive in Gaza claimed the lives of more than 37,000. Palestinians.
Furthermore, it recognizes the importance of ongoing diplomatic efforts by Egypt, Qatar and the United States aimed at reaching a comprehensive ceasefire agreement.
However, to date, the negotiations have not reached the announced terms and Israel insists on the release of the hostages and the destruction of Hamas as its objectives to stop the hostilities.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies on the ground confirm terrible conditions for displaced people in the enclave to access basic services such as water, food or health.
Several families consulted by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in recent weeks assured that the shelters in the Deir al Balah area are overcrowded and lack health infrastructure.
Food distribution is irregular while the risks of a range of health problems, such as hepatitis A, skin diseases and respiratory diseases, increase, OCHA warned on Friday.
According to the agency, the recent intensification of military operations results in additional losses of key water and sanitation assets, including five water production wells in Jabalya, in the north, as well as two wells and two desalination plants in Rafah. , In the south.
In the last eight months, more than two-thirds of the water and sanitation facilities and infrastructure in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged by the Israeli Army, according to humanitarian actors.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General António Guterres called for a political solution to the conflict in Gaza as the only way to move towards sustained peace.
From the Summit held in Jordan, the head of the organization reinforced his call for dialogue between Israel and Hamas a few hours after the Security Council approved the resolution.
Guterres welcomed the project announced earlier by Joe Biden and asked to take advantage of that opportunity to reach an agreement and respect international humanitarian law.
In the opinion of the agency’s top official, the speed and scale of the killing and murder in Gaza surpasses any other event during his years at the helm of the agency.
“Despite the ocean of need, at least half of all humanitarian aid missions are denied access, prevented or canceled for operational or security reasons,” he added.
