Merve Aydogan
16 May 2024•Update: 16 May 2024
HAMILTON, Canada
The UN on Thursday emphasized the urgent need to open crossing points for humanitarian aid to get into and across the Gaza Strip.
It emphasized that aid "cannot and should not depend on" a US floating naval dock in an area under Israeli control in southwestern Gaza.
Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters the UN is finalizing operational plans to be ready when the port becomes fully functional.
"Land routes are the most viable, effective and efficient aid delivery method, which is why we need all crossing points to be opened," he said. "To stave off the horrors of famine, we must use the fastest and most obvious route to reach the people of Gaza and for that we need access by land now.”
He stressed the importance of safety for personnel and acceptance by the community, thanking the US for providing an additional route.
Noting that although the Karem Shalom border crossing is "technically open," he said it is not logistically viable.
Haq noted that humanitarian workers had to wait five and a half hours for approval to deliver aid through the Karem Shalom crossing on Wednesday which resulted in a small amount of food being delivered.
He stressed that aid cannot be distributed without fuel, regardless of whether it is transported by sea or land, highlighting that aid cannot reach those in need without fuel shipments.
UN 'clear about violations of international law for both Sudan and Gaza'
Responding to Anadolu's question about UN chief Antonio Guterres' recent warning of increasing violence in El-Fasher in Sudan that indicated "intentionally direct attacks against the civilian population and willfully impeding humanitarian relief for civilians in need may constitute war crimes," Haq reaffirmed that international law applies universally.
He said Guterres' statements apply to all circumstances.
When asked why a similar warning had not been issued for Gaza, Haq responded: "I think we've been clear about the violations of international humanitarian law in Gaza as well as in Sudan."
