Egypt Hosts International Conference to Rally Humanitarian Support for Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis

Egypt Hosts International Conference to Rally Humanitarian Support for Gaza Amid Escalating Crisis

On Monday, Egypt hosted a high-level international conference in Cairo to galvanize humanitarian support for Gaza, which has been devastated by over a year of intense conflict between Hamas and Israel. The event was attended by numerous senior officials from the region, Western countries, and international organizations, underscoring the global concern over the deteriorating situation in the Palestinian enclave.

Key figures included UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, along with other senior UN officials, who participated in discussions on addressing the escalating crisis. The conference highlighted the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the humanitarian, political, and security challenges facing Gaza.

The situation in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with the northern areas of the Strip being almost completely cut off for nearly two months, exacerbating the humanitarian suffering of the population. With essential services disrupted, the people of Gaza are increasingly dependent on aid, which has been severely constrained by ongoing violence and logistical challenges.

The conference particularly focused on supporting the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which has been a key provider of aid in the region. However, on Sunday, UNRWA announced it was halting aid deliveries through Kerem Shalom, the main cargo crossing into Gaza, due to the escalating threat posed by armed gangs who have looted aid convoys. The agency cited the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, which it attributed to Israel’s policies, as a major factor contributing to the challenges faced by aid workers.

The suspension of aid deliveries further complicates the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are living in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in makeshift tent camps. With the onset of a second cold and rainy winter, conditions are expected to worsen, particularly in the north, where experts have warned of an impending famine. Israeli forces have imposed a near-total blockade on the northern areas of Gaza since early October, worsening the already dire food insecurity.

The Israeli military body responsible for coordinating humanitarian aid to Gaza, however, countered by stating on social media platform X that it would continue working with the international community to increase aid shipments through Kerem Shalom and other crossings. According to Israeli authorities, UNRWA coordinated less than 10% of the aid that entered Gaza in November, suggesting that other humanitarian organizations have played a larger role in aid distribution.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community continues to push for greater access to Gaza and increased support for the civilian population. The Cairo conference served as a critical moment for rallying global support to address the multifaceted challenges facing Gaza, including the provision of essential aid, the restoration of law and order, and the broader political and security dimensions of the ongoing conflict.

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