Doctors Without Borders: Aid to Gaza insufficient despite ceasefire
GAZA, Nov. 23 (YPA) – The emergency coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in the Gaza Strip, Franz Love, said that the current quantities of humanitarian aid reaching the Strip are still far below the level required to meet the growing needs of the population, despite the ceasefire having been in effect for weeks.
Löf explained in a press briefing that the continuation of the current situation could return civilians in Gaza to face harsh winter conditions without adequate protection, noting that the ceasefire announced on October 10 has not ended the suffering of the population, given the ongoing Israeli violations and resulting casualties.
He added that the relative calm on the ground remains fragile, and that the incoming aid is insufficient and does not match the scale of the needs, pointing out that several areas are still witnessing attacks, particularly from the area that the Israeli occupation army calls the “Yellow Line” in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip.
The humanitarian official noted that residents do not know the exact location of this line, explaining that two days ago, shots were fired from a helicopter near one of the organization’s health centers in the Al-Mawasi area. “We don’t know the specific target, but such incidents often occur near that line and sometimes outside of it,” he said.
Löf confirmed that humanitarian services have been almost completely halted since the start of the ceasefire, stressing that no health facility in Gaza is fully operational due to supply shortages and the reduced operational capacity of medical facilities.
He also called for an urgent increase in the volume of medical and logistical aid to ensure the continued operation of existing facilities and the maintenance of vehicles and equipment essential for the humanitarian response.
He added that citizens are increasingly frustrated by the insufficient number of tents and shelter materials they need to cope with the rain and cold.
Löf concluded his appeal by urging the international community and influential countries to pressure the Israeli occupation to allow the entry of basic necessities without delay to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.