Israel border closures to have devastating consequences: UN

KABUL (Pajhwok): UN Secretary-General spokesman Stéphane Dujarric has said keeping the roads leading to Gaza closed will have devastating consequences for a people who are just beginning to recover after months of deprivation and hunger.

Dujarric told a press conference on Tuesday the government of Israel had closed four crossings leading to Gaza for a third day in a row.

Dujarric said: “Given Gaza’s enormous needs, keeping the crossings closed would have devastating consequences for a population that is only just beginning to recover from months of deprivation and hunger.”

He emphasized that “it is critical that member states and those with influence use all available means to ensure the ceasefire holds.”

Meanwhile, Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN relief department for Palestine, also said Israel’s decision to stop aid to Gaza threatens the lives of civilians who are exhausted from 16 months of war.

The humanitarian aid must continue to these people as it continued during the past six weeks of ceasefire, he added.

Lazzarini said: “Despite the recent developments, we and our humanitarian partners on the ground are doing our utmost to continue relief operations across the Gaza Strip.”

The government of Israel has blocked the entry of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza after creating problems in implementing the second phase of the ceasefire.

Israel did this in order to force Hamas accept the US-proposed ceasefire extension plan. The US prepared a month-long ceasefire plan.

aw/ma