“We deal with tough places to deliver humanitarian support. But Gaza is currently the most dangerous, in a year when more humanitarians have been killed than any on record,” Fletcher said during a statement following his recent trip to the Middle East.
Fletcher highlighted the dire conditions in North Gaza, which has been under a near-total siege for more than two months, raising fears of famine. “The sustained intensity of violence means there is nowhere that civilians in Gaza are safe. Schools, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure have been reduced to rubble,” he remarked.
He also noted that South Gaza, overcrowded and overwhelmed by displaced populations, is experiencing deteriorating living conditions as winter approaches, compounding the already staggering humanitarian needs.
Despite the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, Fletcher criticized Israeli authorities for denying meaningful access to North Gaza. "Over 100 requests to access North Gaza have been denied since October 6," he stated, underscoring the severe impediments to delivering aid.
Fletcher also addressed the escalating crisis in the West Bank, where the death toll has reached unprecedented levels. He noted that Israeli military operations have destroyed essential infrastructure, including roads and water networks, particularly in refugee camps. Rising settler violence, home demolitions, and movement restrictions have further exacerbated displacement and hindered access to essential services, particularly healthcare.
Fletcher called on the international community to uphold international humanitarian law, protect civilians, release hostages, and support the work of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He also urged global leaders to break the cycle of violence that continues to devastate the region.
Paying tribute to humanitarian workers operating under extreme conditions, Fletcher emphasized the need for immediate and coordinated international action to address the growing crisis.
“The resilience of humanitarians and the civilians they serve is extraordinary. But we must do more to defend their rights, ensure their safety, and deliver the aid they desperately need,” Fletcher concluded. (ILKHA)