The United Nations has issued a firm call for unrestricted humanitarian access into the Gaza Strip, asserting that it has all the resources and infrastructure in place to immediately deliver life-saving aid. The UN’s top humanitarian official, Tom Fletcher, dismissed alternative proposals particularly one backed by the United States and Israel as unnecessary and potentially disruptive.
Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, made the remarks on Friday via a statement posted on social media, highlighting the organization’s readiness to respond to the worsening humanitarian emergency in the region.
“We have the people. We have the distribution networks. We have the trust of the communities on the ground. And we have the aid itself—160,000 pallets of it—ready to move. Now,” Fletcher declared on X.
He added, “Let’s not waste time building new models. We have one. And it works. Just let us in.”
A Crisis Escalating by the Hour
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has continued to deteriorate rapidly following the breakdown of a ceasefire agreement in March. Since Israel resumed hostilities in mid-March, over 3,000 Palestinians have been killed, and the enclave’s infrastructure has been pushed to the brink of collapse.
According to a recent report from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), all 2.1 million residents of Gaza are now facing the risk of famine, with at least 20 percent of the population over 400,000 people—teetering on the edge of starvation.
“This is not just a looming threat. It is a present-day catastrophe,” the FAO report emphasized, warning that every additional day without aid will result in further loss of life.
U.S. and Israel’s Alternative Model Sparks Controversy
Despite the UN’s readiness, the U.S. and Israeli governments have thrown their support behind an alternative aid distribution initiative known as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Spearheaded by the U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, the plan aims to serve around 1.2 million people roughly 60 percent of the population through four newly established aid centers within Gaza.
The centers would be staffed by a mix of U.S. contractors and international aid workers, with the Israeli Defense Forces providing perimeter security.
However, UN officials have voiced serious reservations about this model. A senior UN source told Africalivenews that the proposed foundation “raises red flags” in terms of neutrality, independence, and the safety of aid workers.
“We have longstanding relationships with the communities we serve. The moment you militarize aid or politicize delivery, you erode trust and increase risk,” the source said.
Fletcher echoed those concerns, stating that while the international community’s desire to help is appreciated, any model that lacks neutrality risks undermining both the aid effort and the safety of civilians.
UN Insists on Proven Framework
The UN has reiterated its position that its existing aid framework is not only operational but has also been proven effective in past emergencies.
“We are not starting from scratch. The UN system has decades of experience managing large-scale humanitarian crises—from Syria to South Sudan to Ukraine,” said Fletcher.
He added that the UN’s approach is based on internationally recognized humanitarian principles, which prioritize the impartial distribution of aid and ensure accountability.
The UN’s statement comes as several convoys remain stalled at Gaza’s border crossings, awaiting clearance to deliver supplies such as food, clean water, medical kits, and shelter materials. Aid workers on the ground have described the situation as “beyond critical,” with hospitals overwhelmed and families going days without food.
Global Reactions and Mounting Pressure
The U.S.-backed plan has also drawn criticism from other humanitarian organizations, who fear that involving the military in aid distribution will compromise neutrality. Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) have both urged the Biden administration to reconsider.
In the words of Human Rights Watch spokesperson Laura Friedman:
“You cannot bomb a community into desperation and then expect to control its recovery through military-managed aid. The people of Gaza need empathy, not bureaucracy.”
The European Union has so far refrained from officially endorsing either the UN plan or the U.S. proposal, but EU diplomats have expressed strong support for “a neutral and impartial delivery mechanism consistent with international humanitarian law.”
Israel’s Position
For its part, the Israeli government has maintained that any aid entering Gaza must be carefully monitored to ensure it does not fall into the hands of Hamas.
Israeli Defense Ministry spokesman Lt. Col. David Harouni said:
“Our priority is to ensure that aid reaches civilians, not militants. We are open to collaborating with trusted international actors, but security remains paramount.”
However, critics argue that the blockade and bureaucratic delays have effectively weaponized humanitarian assistance, leaving ordinary Palestinians to suffer the consequences.
UN’s Final Word: “Let Us In”
As diplomatic wrangling continues, the UN remains firm in its stance: the best solution is the simplest one. Allow immediate access to existing aid agencies already equipped and trained to respond.
“Every hour we spend arguing about logistics is an hour a child goes without food or water,” said Fletcher. “We are ready. Let us do our job.”
With international attention now focused on how best to deliver assistance to Gaza’s besieged population, pressure is mounting on all parties to prioritize humanitarian needs over political calculations.
Africalivenews will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation evolves.
