The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, confirmed that the proposed Israeli supply plan for Gaza will not succeed.
"It is not possible for a humanitarian organization that truly respects basic humanitarian principles to commit to such a scheme," Lazzarini said in a post published by UNRWA on its Facebook page today.
He added, "I don't think such a model will succeed, and it also seems that this model was designed to support a military objective, rather than a genuine humanitarian concern."
Israel is seeking to impose an alternative mechanism for distributing aid through centers under the control of the Israeli military, which would exclude large segments of the population, particularly those with disabilities and the elderly, from receiving essential aid.
Israeli authorities eased their nearly three-month blockade of humanitarian aid earlier this week, but the United Nations believes the aid allowed in is insufficient.
Some bakeries in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, and Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, recently resumed baking bread using the flour they received. However, aid workers warn that the amount of aid arriving is far from sufficient.
According to the World Food Programme, nearly two million people are at risk of severe hunger and famine unless immediate action is taken.
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Lazzarini: The proposed Israeli supply plan for Gaza will not succeed.