Aid Surge Faces Major Challenges in Gaza

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, set to take effect soon, has raised hopes for humanitarian aid to reach Palestinians, but significant obstacles remain due to destroyed infrastructure and ongoing security concerns. President Biden highlighted the urgency of increasing humanitarian assistance, while U.N. Secretary-General Guterres described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as 'catastrophic'. Aid agencies are preparing for a surge of 600 truckloads of aid daily, but warn that the absence of security arrangements could complicate delivery efforts in an already chaotic environment. Local aid workers, who have been tirelessly providing support amid the 15-month conflict, express exhaustion and highlight the dire need for basic supplies as many remain displaced. The U.N. has emphasized the need to remove impediments such as access restrictions and security issues to ensure effective aid distribution. Coordination efforts are underway among various stakeholders to address these challenges before the aid surge begins.