Israel's restrictions hinder Gaza aid flow, UN reports

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that Israeli restrictions and ongoing border closures are severely impeding the delivery of essential goods into the Gaza Strip. Al Jazeera cited OCHA in detailing how Israel is controlling the movement of supplies through the Karem Abu Salem crossing, known as Kerem Shalom.

Last week, the situation highlighted the difficulties, with only 42 percent of aid arriving via Egypt and 65 percent of shipments from Ashdod port successfully offloaded. This follows a decrease in overall aid distribution; approximately 42,000 pallets of assistance reached Gaza in June, down from about 46,600 in May. All other crossings remain closed to cargo, and restrictions on specific types of supplies persist.

In parallel efforts to bolster humanitarian support, a delegation from OCHA, including senior officials and World Health Organization (WHO) representatives, visited the UAE Field Hospital in Gaza. The visit aimed to assess medical services and identify ways to enhance humanitarian coordination.

The delegation toured the hospital's facilities, received briefings on its operations, and engaged in discussions with the UAE medical team. The focus was on strengthening cooperation to ensure the sustainability of healthcare services and improve the overall humanitarian response within Gaza. The visit concluded with an exchange of gifts, symbolizing the ongoing collaboration between the UAE and international humanitarian organizations.