Alabali-Radovan: situation in Gaza catastrophic, especially for children
Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan is calling for further aid deliveries to Gaza, emphasising that these are urgently needed – especially for children.
Berlin (d.de) – German Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan (pictured) and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell spoke by phone to discuss the situation of children in Gaza. In light of the escalating crisis, they agreed that the conditions for the civilian population – and especially for children – were catastrophic, and that further humanitarian aid must reach the people in Gaza as a matter of urgency.
“The Israeli government must immediately meet its humanitarian obligations and allow the unrestricted delivery and distribution of aid throughout the Gaza Strip. The aid deliveries that are currently permitted are nowhere near sufficient,” the minister said following the call. “The special protection of children in armed conflict is not a matter for negotiation – it is an obligation under international law,” Alabali-Radovan added.
She stressed that there was no substitute for humanitarian assistance provided by the United Nations. “Germany stands ready to continue supporting the United Nations in its vital work to alleviate suffering in Gaza.”
The dire situation has been further exacerbated by the near three-month blockade of aid deliveries. According to reports, nearly 1,100 children have been killed in attacks in Gaza over the past two months alone.