Humanitarian crisis in Gaza prompts calls for international action

On World Humanitarian Day, Hamas called for urgent international intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The movement urged the United Nations and global organizations to intensify relief efforts, support the Palestinian people, and hold Israeli leaders accountable for violations against civilians and humanitarian workers, which it characterized as a “brutal war crime.”

Separately, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher defended the resilience of the UN aid system. Responding to concerns regarding the impact of recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, Fletcher rejected claims that the humanitarian architecture is being dismantled. He noted that while the system has faced significant shocks, it continues to operate and has made progress in addressing hunger in Gaza.

Fletcher also highlighted the increasing dangers facing aid personnel globally, noting that nearly 1,000 workers have been killed, injured, or kidnapped over the past year. He described this trend as a “normalization of violence against our community” that the United Nations refuses to accept.