Hazem Qassem: Aid Delivered to Gaza Falls Short of Residents’ Needs
Hazem Qassem, spokesperson for the Hamas movement, stated that the aid entering the Gaza Strip falls far short of meeting even the most basic needs of its residents.
He added that most of the aid permitted by the occupiers to enter Gaza consists primarily of commercial goods, which are not essential given the current dire humanitarian conditions faced by civilians.
Qassem emphasized that trucks carrying vital supplies must be allowed into Gaza on a much larger scale, commensurate with the critical situation affecting over 2 million people living there.
The Hamas spokesperson also warned that with winter approaching and harsh weather conditions imminent, existing aid shipments do not provide sufficient resources to establish adequate shelter. Field realities confirm that refugee centers and camps are no longer suitable for habitation or prepared to withstand severe winter conditions.
He stressed that notable changes must be made regarding incoming aid so it effectively addresses people’s needs, especially during winter. Previously, protocols on humanitarian assistance were agreed upon during the january ceasefire for delivering prefabricated shelters into Gaza and were reaffirmed in agreements at Sharm El-Sheikh.
Qassem called on mediators and all responsible countries to take immediate and serious action to facilitate entry of these shelters into Gaza in order to save civilian lives before worsening weather conditions set in.
The Hamas spokesperson concluded by urging urgent international measures to prevent tragedies similar to those seen in previous years, as harsh weather risks causing major humanitarian disasters within refugee settlements.
