UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher urges full opening of Gaza aid crossings

UN Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher addressed the Security Council, urging the immediate removal of Israeli restrictions on aid to Gaza. He called for the full‑capacity operation of the Erez/Beit Hanoun, Karni and Kerem Shalom crossings and for a high‑volume, multi‑route pipeline to deliver essential supplies, including medical equipment, fuel, spare parts and sanitation items.

Fletcher also demanded streamlined customs waivers, longer‑term visas for UN and NGO staff, and the resumption of government‑to‑government convoys from Jordan, as well as expanded medical evacuations to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. While noting that aid deliveries have improved since the October 10 ceasefire, he stressed that “we cannot allow a world where children have sufficient calories to survive and are spared constant bombing, yet remain hungry, bitten by rats, homeless and out of school.”