Occupied Jerusalem, Feb. 25 (SANA) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said Wednesday that protecting civilians in the Gaza Strip is an urgent humanitarian priority amid rapidly deteriorating conditions, stressing the need to ensure safe and sustained access for humanitarian aid.
In a statement, the agency said enabling humanitarian personnel to carry out their duties and safeguarding humanitarian facilities and installations are essential for the continued delivery of vital services, including primary healthcare, education, emergency relief and food assistance to the most vulnerable families.
UNRWA said it is continuing its operations across the enclave despite significant challenges, in line with its UN mandate, to ensure assistance reaches hundreds of thousands of Palestine refugees who rely heavily on its services under the current circumstances.
The agency called for a safe environment that allows humanitarian teams to work without obstruction, ensuring the protection of civilians and the uninterrupted flow of life-saving aid to all those in need. It stressed that meeting urgent humanitarian needs requires concerted international efforts and adherence to international humanitarian law.
The Gaza Strip has suffered massive destruction and a near collapse of services across all sectors as a result of the Israeli war, which began on October 7, 2023. Although a ceasefire agreement reached last October provides for the unimpeded entry of humanitarian assistance, aid access continues to face obstacles.
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