12:06 am ET, May 9, 2024
UN says no goods entered Gaza Wednesday through key crossings
From CNN’s Richard Roth and Hamdi Alkhshali
Aid trucks loaded with supplies for Gaza wait in Al-Arish City, Egypt, after the border closed on May 8.
Ali Moustafa/Getty Images
United Nations spokesperson Stephane Dujarric voiced alarm on Wednesday about the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.
In an operational update, he said that no goods for humanitarian operations have entered Gaza through key crossings, exacerbating challenges amid active hostilities.
Dujarric emphasized the critical need for incoming supplies, including fuel, to sustain humanitarian efforts. The situation is urgent, with key medical facilities at risk of becoming inaccessible or inoperable, he added.
The evacuation of Al Najjar hospital underscores the gravity of the situation, particularly for patients reliant on its dialysis department, the UN spokesperson said.
“One of the three hospitals in Rafah – Al Najjar – had to be abruptly vacated yesterday, as it was located in the area subject to the evacuation orders sent out by the Israeli Defense Forces,” Dujarric said.
The UN said it remains committed to providing aid to Gaza’s population, including over 1 million people sheltering in Rafah.
Martin Griffiths, head of the humanitarian affairs office, stressed the imperative of protecting civilians and ensuring their basic needs are met, whether they stay or evacuate. Urgent action is required to safeguard lives in Gaza amid escalating tensions, Griffiths added.
