We are on the brink of a humanitarian disaster where 2.3 million people lack access to social services. That’s what Save the Children’s national director says to TV4 Nyheterna.
– We are heading towards an unprecedented situation, says Jason Lee, country director of Save the Children, occupied Palestinian territories.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hints that a ground invasion is imminent. Meanwhile, health authorities in Hamas-run Gaza state that more than 3,700 people have been killed and more than 12,000 injured since October 7. Several aid organizations testify to an increasingly critical situation and Save the Children is now appealing for political will to let in more humanitarian aid.
– The trucks must be allowed in. Children are dying in this now. A child dies every quarter. There is no water, food, medicine or fuel for the water pumps. The supplies must be in.
According to the UN’s top director for humanitarian aid efforts, Martin Griffiths, the needs correspond to around 100 trucks a day. Many trucks are lined up at the border between Egypt and Gaza. It has been said that some will be allowed in, but so far not much has happened, says Rädda Barnen.
“Must be implemented”
– What the parties want is immaterial. This must be implemented. We have international laws that bind us and it is crucial that they are respected. Such a law stipulates that you must protect civilians, especially children, and ensure that they receive help. It’s not something you do because you want to or because it suits you – it’s obligations that must be fulfilled and if you don’t do it, you must be brought to justice.
Airstrikes continue over Gaza as residents try to escape. During Thursday, information comes that Israel is getting closer to a ground invasion – something that the country has avoided with few exceptions for the past 15 years. Save the Children says it is impossible to help the civilian population without a ceasefire.
– Firstly, the civilian population is not safe with airstrikes and shelling. Just look at the sheer number of civilians that have been killed
– It is not possible to help when there are air strikes
and artillery fire. The aid organizations cannot work under such conditions. We can’t even find the kids.
Not uncontroversial
Meanwhile, relatives of some of those kidnapped by Hamas have criticized the Israeli government after it agreed to allow about 20 trucks of humanitarian aid into Gaza, reports Israeli media.
“We remind you that children, babies, women, soldiers, men and the elderly, some with serious illnesses, wounded and shot, are being held captive underground like animals and the Israeli government is treating the killers with baklava and medicine,” reads a statement from a relatives’ organization .
Save the Children is sounding the alarm that the situation is becoming catastrophic.
– Healthcare is collapsing. Four hospitals can no longer operate. We estimate the food supplies will last a few more days. The water supply is dangerously low. The number of dead and injured civilians only increases. I find it hard to see that it could get much worse, says Jason Lee, Country Director of Save the Children, Occupied Palestinian Territories.