Gaza, UN: “Received green light from Israel for aid in the Strip starting tomorrow”

Turin, Oct. 11 (LaPresse/AP) – The United Nations has received approval from Israel to begin sending aid to Gaza in an intensified manner starting tomorrow. This was stated by a UN official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public. The aid shipments are intended to address severe malnutrition and famine caused by Israeli offensives and restrictions on humanitarian assistance. The International Criminal Court has called for the arrest of Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister for allegedly using hunger as a method of warfare. Israeli officials deny the allegations. The aid will include 170,000 tons already positioned in neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt, while humanitarian officials were awaiting Israeli permission to resume their activities. UN officials and Israeli authorities have held a series of discussions in Jerusalem over the past 24 hours regarding the amount of aid humanitarian organizations can deliver and through which entry points. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told journalists on Friday that fuel, medical supplies, and other essential materials have begun flowing through the Kerem Shalom crossing. UN officials want Israel to open more border crossings and ensure safe movement for humanitarian workers and civilians returning to areas of Gaza that were recently under attack. In recent months, the UN and its partners have managed to deliver only 20% of the aid needed in the Gaza Strip, according to the UN humanitarian coordinator.