America, Israel Side- Step UNRWA’, To Resume Aid Distribution In Gaza
By Yadnom Awu/ Asaba
In the wake of mounting global criticisms of Israeli blockade of aid into Gaza for nearly three months, America says it is collaborating with the Jewish state to evolve new ways to resume humanitarian supplies to the beleaguered Palestinian enclave.
The plan is to begin by May end, according to the American chief diplomat, Mark Rubio.
The disclosure came against the backdrop of reports of virtual famine in the enclave since Israel mounted a comprehensive blockage of the enclave, effectively preventing hundreds of trucks bearing more than 100 metric tonnes of humanitarian supplies from accessing the enclave.
Following the blockage of all forms of aid into the enclave most of the targeted hospitals, schools, markets and churches, mosques and cultural centers, have fun short of supplies.
The supplies had been handled by the United Nations (UN), through its UN Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA.
But Israel has accused UNRWA’ of pro- Hamas allegiance, but failed, just like in respect of its allegations of bias against other organizations, nations and even the UN, to prove its case.
The American/ Israeli proposal has drawn the ire of the UN and virtually all of the rest of the world and called it the weaponisation a of humanitarian aid.
But it appears that neither Israel nor America, its hard nose backer in its war against Hamas, is deterred,insisting that their novel agency, the Gaza Aid Foundation, was a way to get around the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The foundation is expected to be operated by private interests, with Israeli security cover.
In the interim, Israel has tightened its military stranglehold on the enclave and the Occupied West Bank, despite reports of resumption of efforts to restore ceasefire talks to end the war that has led to the killing of more than 50,000 Palestinians, mainly women and children, according to the Hamas- run Gaza Media Office. The war began after Hamas, which Israel and the West calls a terrorist organization , attacked Israel on October 7,2023, and killed more than 1,200 soldiers ,policemen and civilians, and abducting more than 400 others.
