\n
<\/p>\n
In a statement released by the UN Humanitarian Country Team \u2013 which leads coordinated relief efforts across the Occupied Palestinian Territory \u2013 officials condemned Israeli efforts to dismantle the current aid system.<\/p>\n
The team led by the UN\u2019s top aid official in the region representing UN and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) both international and Palestinian, said Israeli plans would “contravene fundamental humanitarian principles” and deepen the suffering of civilians<\/strong> already enduring severe shortages of food, water, and medical care.<\/p>\n \u201cBakeries have shut. Community kitchens have closed. Warehouses stand empty. Children have gone hungry,\u201d the statement said, describing the dire conditions facing the population.<\/p>\n The UN said Israeli authorities were attempting to impose a new aid distribution system<\/strong> that would funnel humanitarian supplies through military-controlled hubs, rather than allowing UN agencies and NGOs to operate independently<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The proposal, the UN said, would leave \u201clarge parts of Gaza, including the less mobile and most vulnerable people,\u201d without aid and would force civilians to enter militarised areas to access basic necessities.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is dangerous, driving civilians into militarised zones to collect rations, threatening lives, including those of humanitarian workers<\/strong>,\u201d the UN said, warning it would also exacerbate forced displacement across the strip.<\/p>\n According to news reports, the Israeli government has defended the policy as a security measure. At the same time, Israeli forces are planning to ramp up operations in central and southern Gaza.<\/p>\n On Saturday, call up notices were reportedly issued to thousands of Israeli military reservists, indicating a likely escalation of the offensive inside the Strip.<\/p>\n The UN statement reaffirmed that aid operations must remain guided by the principles of \u201chumanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality\u201d and said all 16 UN entities and major humanitarian partners working in Gaza had endorsed this unified position.<\/p>\n \u201cHumanitarian action responds to people\u2019s needs, wherever they are,\u201d the team said.<\/p>\n\u2018Dangerous\u2019 Israeli proposal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Guiding principles<\/strong><\/h2>\n