UN aid agency calls for safe access to Gaza

A picture taken from Rafah shows smoke billowing over Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip during Israeli bombardment on December 30, 2023. (Photo by AFP)

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has called for safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

It’s to ensure humanitarian supplies reach the Gaza Strip to meet the enormous needs, including fuel, food, medicine, water and hygiene materials.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini objected to recent accusations leveled by Israel that UN relief workers failed in their duties.
Lazzarini said that this is “baseless misinformation,” adding that “this is not the time to exchange accusations and promote disinformation.”

Earlier on Friday, the Israeli army issued instructions to residents of the city of Khan Yunis, south of Gaza, to head towards the city of Rafah, to the southwest on the Egyptian border.

According to the Ministry of Health in Gaza announced earlier Friday that 187 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli attacks during the past 24 hours.

The Ministry distributed a brief statement to journalists, stating that the Israeli attacks resulted in 312 casualties of various types. According to the ministry, the toll from the Israeli war on Gaza has risen to 21,507 deaths and 55,915 injuries since October 7th. 

More from International

  • UK inquiry finds 'chilling' cover-up of infected blood scandal

    An infected blood scandal in Britain was no accident but the fault of doctors and a succession of governments that led to 3,000 deaths and thousands more contracting hepatitis or HIV, a public inquiry has found.

  • Iranian President Raisi killed in helicopter accident, state media says

    Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, seen as a potential successor to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in a helicopter crash in mountainous terrain near the Azerbaijan border, officials and state media said on Monday.

  • ICC prosecutor seeks arrest warrants for Israeli, Hamas leaders

    The International Criminal Court prosecutor's office said on Monday it had requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defence chief and three Hamas leaders for alleged war crimes.

  • Assange given permission to appeal against US extradition

    WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was given permission to have a full appeal over his extradition to the United States after arguing at London's High Court on Monday he might not be able to rely on his right to free speech at a trial.

  • Israel intends to broaden Rafah sweep, Defence Minister tells US

    Israel intends to broaden its military operation in Rafah, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Monday told a senior aide to US President Joe Biden, who has warned against major action in the southern Gazan city that may risk mass civilian casualties. Israel describes Rafah, which abuts the Gaza Strip's border with the Egyptian Sinai, as the last stronghold of Hamas Islamists whose governing and combat capabilities it has been trying to dismantle during the more than seven-month-old war. After weeks of public disagreements with Washington over the Rafah planning, Israel on May 6 ordered Pale