October 19, 2023—The Gaza Strip is in crisis. It is a crisis that is spilling over into the rest of the Middle East and the world. Millions are without electricity, water, and food. Aid trucks are waiting along the Egypt-Gaza border.
It’s been over a week since Israel instituted a total blockade on the enclave after Hamas unleashed a reign of terror on Israeli citizens. Israel cut electricity on October 11. Hamas holds over 200 Israelis and Americans captive.
Aid Is Ready And Waiting
UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” He called on Hamas to release hostages and for Israel to allow “unrestricted access of humanitarian aid” for people in Gaza.
“For nearly two weeks the people of Gaza have gone without any shipments of fuel, food, water, medicine, and other essentials. Disease is spreading. Supplies are dwindling. People are dying,” he said today.
On Wednesday a UN Security Council resolution that called for pauses in the Israeli-Hamas war failed as the United States, a permanent member, vetoed it.
Trucks Are Loaded And Ready
The World Health Organization said it is ready to deliver water, food, and medicine once the border crossing opens. But the WHO says fuel is needed as well.
“Our trucks are loaded and ready to go. We are working with Egypt and Palestine Red Crescent socieities to deliver our supplies into Gaza as soon as the Rafah crossing is open, hopefully tomorrow,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. “Despite the air strikes and the risk of their own security, the WHO team in Gaza has delivered life-saving medical supplies sufficient to care for 2,000 patients. But much more is needed.”
Humanitarian Aid Deal
President Biden said his administration brokered a deal with Egypt and Israel to allow 20 trucks carrying humanitarian aid into Gaza. Biden warned that if Hamas members confiscate the aid, the flow of aid will end. Earlier this week, Biden appointed former Ambassador David Satterfield to serve as the Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues. Satterfield is leading the U.S. effort to make way for the humanitarian aid.
On Wednesday, Israel said it won’t prevent humanitarian aid into Gaza from Egypt as long as it is only food, water, and medicine and does not reach Hamas.
Meanwhile, aid workers are risking their lives in Gaza. NPR reported today that humanitarian group Anera lost 26 family members of workers due to bombing in Gaza. The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees also reported losing aid workers.
