UN official: The situation in Gaza is completely devastated as civilians in the Strip continue to suffer

NEW YORK, Dec. 11 (YPA)- The UN’s Senior Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs and Reconstruction in Gaza, Sigrid Kaag, said early Wednesday that “the situation in Gaza is completely devastated and the picture is bleak as civilians in the Strip continue to suffer.”

The UN Security Council held a closed session regarding the situation in Gaza late last night.

Kaag, speaking to reporters at UN headquarters after her briefing, referred to the inhumane conditions in which our civilian brothers, young and old, are trying to survive, warning that the obstacles facing the UN and civilians there are preventing the ultimate goal of delivering aid to civilians.

The UN official said that she had reminded the Security Council since last April of the risk of a collapse of law and order, especially lawlessness and looting, “which has worsened amidst already very difficult circumstances, and is affecting what remains of the social fabric and stability.”

She added that if there is political will and the parties reach and adhere to agreements – as happened in the polio vaccination campaign – “then we can reach the people.”

Kag referred to the requests they have submitted to the Israeli government, including: winter supplies, health supplies and all the basic supplies that Gaza lacks, indicating that she “discussed with the Israeli government the clear line of the United Nations on the mandate of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which is an indispensable role, especially In Gaza.”

She added, “What we also need when we talk about aid to Gaza is to reopen the Rafah crossing.”

The UN official stressed that the Gaza Strip needs to restart the commercial sector, as “people want to buy, and a variety of goods, and we need to continue to pressure.

@E.Y.M