Gaza: ceasefire holds as UN aid convoys deliver ‘millions of litres’ of fuel
As a fragile ceasefire holds in Gaza, UN aid teams have continued to deliver “millions of litres” of fuel into the battered enclave.
In an update, the UN humanitarian and development agency, UNOPS, said that the fuel would power critical services such as healthcare, water pumping and desalination.
UNOPS Executive Director Jorge Moreira da Silva said that his agency along with the entire UN family was committed to supporting the implementation of the ceasefire – and to provide relief to Gazans after 15 months of constant Israeli bombardment.
Before the ceasefire began on Sunday, Gaza needed a minimum of around 100,000 litres of fuel per day to power its most critical needs. Current daily volumes represent more than a 10-fold increase, UNOPS said.
Agency chief Mr. da Silva highlighted the complex nature of the humanitarian operation, in particular the “lack of functioning infrastructure, roads and the sheer scale of destruction”.
West Bank: UN rights office deeply concerned at escalating violence
To the occupied West Bank, where the UN human rights office, OHCHR, warned on Thursday that children are not being spared from the escalating Israeli military operations there.
The head of OHCHR in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Ajith Sunghay, told me that Jenin camp has been devastated.
He said that in the last few days, Israeli security forces had surrounded Jenin camp and started using drones, Apache helicopters, fighter jets, and have dropped bombs.
Parts of Jenin are “already looking like Gaza”, Mr. Sunghay added, in terms of the destruction that has continued and expanded.
Key infrastructure has been ruined, cutting off electricity, water and other necessities to people and forcing their displacement:
“In West Bank, about 180 people, 180 children have been killed either by the Israeli forces or by settlers…since 7 October. About 209 are in detention, out of which about 75 of them are in administrative detention. In Gaza we do not know the number of children who are held in detention. Tomorrow is International Education Day. I met many children today online, both from Gaza, and in West Bank. They all talk about the pains of this occupation and the war, and they want to go back to schools and colleges.”
In the last two days, OHCHR said that 12 to 13 people have been killed, nine of whom were reportedly unarmed.
You can hear the full interview with Ajith Sunghay on the UN News audio hub.
DR Congo: peacekeepers are deeply concerned about deteriorating security in country’s east
To the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where UN peacekeepers remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation in the country’s mineral-rich east.
In an update, the UN peacekeeping mission there, MONUSCO, reported that the M23 armed group has occupied new territory in North Kivu province, reportedly seizing the town of Minova in South Kivu on Tuesday – which lies along the supply route to the regional capital, Goma.
Here’s UN News’s Cristina Silveiro with MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo:
“(MONUSCO spokesperson Ndeye Khady Lo) In the occupation of Minova, 250,000 people have been displaced.
UN News: And that is in addition to the over 200,000 from north Kivu in the previous days, correct?
Ndeye Khady Lo: Absolutely.
UN News: You mentioned the port of Kasunyu is strategic. Can you explain why? What is the significance of its occupation and what it could mean?
Ndeye Khady Lo: This very significant and worrisome as it is the first time the conflict expands to South Kivu…Minova is a city situated near a very essential supply route for Goma and Sake. Its seizure could affect millions of people living in North Kivu where more than 2.8 million people are displaced and most of them seeking refuge around Goma and Sake”
Since the UN Mission withdrew from South Kivu in June 2024, peacekeepers have defended key positions in North Kivu, including Goma and Sake, where clashes between the M23, the Congolese Armed Forces and other armed groups have continued.
Recent fighting in the village of Bweremana north of Minova claimed at least 10 lives and triggered mass displacement toward Kalehe, Goma and Rusayo, leaving more than 250,000 people displaced, MONUSCO said.
Daniel Johnson, UN News
Don’t forget that you can hear more news and interviews on the UN News website and audio hub now.
Music composed and produced by Joachim Harris. All rights reserved
Source of original article: United Nations (news.un.org). Photo credit: UN. The content of this article does not necessarily reflect the views or opinion of Global Diaspora News (www.globaldiasporanews.com).
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