Humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues despite ceasefire: UN
The head of the United Nations infrastructure agency has warned that a humanitarian catastrophe continues in the Gaza Strip despite a ceasefire agreement that brought a "much-needed respite."
Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), made a warning following a visit to the besieged Gaza Strip where a truce between Israel and Hamas has been in effect since January 19.
"In addition to immense human suffering, I also witnessed an unimaginable degree of the destruction of infrastructure and houses, and an overwhelming volume of rubble," da Silva was quoted as saying.
The ceasefire suspended Israel's genocidal war that has killed more than 48,200 people, mostly women and children, and left the besieged strip in ruins.
The lack of aid before the ceasefire agreement had devastating effects on the people of Gaza, who endured critical food insecurity and the prospect of famine.
The situation has been particularly dire in the north of Gaza, where humanitarian access significantly deteriorated since September 2024.
In a statement, the Hamas resistance group said a delegation headed by top negotiator Khalil al-Haya, held talks with the mediators to review the process of implementing the agreement.
It added that the negotiating team emphasized the implementation of all provisions, especially the delivery of shelters, prefabricated houses, tents, heavy equipment, medical supplies, fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Hamas spokesperson Abdul Latif al-Qanou also pointed out that the group's mediators are exerting pressure to complete the full implementation of the agreement, obliging Israel to abide by the humanitarian protocol and resume the prisoner-captive exchange process on Saturday.
He stressed that the language of threats and intimidation used by US President Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu does not serve the interests of the implementation of the ceasefire.
Hamas earlier announced that it would postpone the exchange due to Israeli violations of the deal. Israel has reportedly promised to put in place a humanitarian protocol starting this morning.
This comes as mediators, Egypt and Qatar say they have overcome Gaza truce obstacles.
Hamas has now confirmed it would implement the Gaza ceasefire deal and will release more Israeli captives as scheduled on Saturday.
Israel has turned Gaza into the world's largest open-air prison, maintaining an 18-year blockade and forcing nearly 2 million of its 2.3 million residents into displacement amid dire shortages of food, water, and medicine due to deliberate restrictions.
Houthi vows military action if Trump’s Gaza plan proceeds
Ex-Israeli military general admits regime's 'absolute failure' in Gaza
Palestinian youth shot dead over alleged car-ramming attempt in West Bank
VIDEO | ‘This is our land’:Lebanese woman on why she confronted Israeli Merkava tank
VIDEO | As Israel continues its atrocities across the West Bank, residential neighborhoods have been left in
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
VIDEO | Stories of forced eviction: Displaced Palestinians in Tulkarm and Jenin
EU leaders warn against US-Russia deal 'behind our backs'
Mexico aims to sue Google over 'Gulf of America' listing
Denmark depopulates ethnic minority neighborhoods under 'ghetto law'
Humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues despite truce: UN
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
