The commitment to implement UN Security Council Resolution 2803, along with the long-term recovery, reconstruction, and peace efforts in Gaza, remains resolute. This commitment encompasses the vital roles played by the Palestinian Authority, the Board of Peace, and the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG).
Humanitarian Assistance and Infrastructure Rehabilitation
The Comprehensive Plan, as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2803, stipulates the immediate provision of comprehensive humanitarian assistance at levels consistent with those agreed upon on 19 January 2025. This includes the urgent rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as water supply, electricity, sewage systems, hospitals, and bakeries. Additionally, the plan facilitates the entry of essential equipment for debris removal and road clearance. It is imperative that this humanitarian assistance is delivered without hindrance through the United Nations, its agencies, the Red Crescent Movement, and other impartial international humanitarian organisations. The time for implementation is now, and it must be executed without further delay.
As we near a year since the ceasefire, evidence suggests that improving the humanitarian situation is achievable when there is genuine political will. Nevertheless, urgent humanitarian needs persist, particularly in healthcare and public health, which require immediate attention. The health sector in Gaza has suffered significant damage; there are no fully operational hospitals, and there exists a critical shortage of fuel and essential medical equipment. Many individuals with chronic illnesses are unable to receive adequate treatment due to sporadic and insufficient medical supplies. Alarmingly, at least 43,000 individuals are facing life-altering disabilities without access to specialised care, prosthetics, and rehabilitation services. Since the beginning of 2023, there have been over 920 attacks on healthcare facilities and personnel, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,700 health workers, with many others detained and subjected to mistreatment.
The Broader Implications of Health Sector Collapse
The decline of the health sector reflects a more extensive systemic collapse in Gaza. As winter approaches, the lack of adequate shelter, clean water, sanitation, and health services will undoubtedly exacerbate health outcomes, potentially leading to disease outbreaks and environmental contamination. The primary obstacle to establishing a functional health service is the Israeli government’s restrictions on the unrestricted entry of aid and the shortage of construction materials necessary for the rehabilitation of health facilities. This stalling of both immediate humanitarian relief and recovery efforts must be addressed.
To address these pressing issues, we are committed to:
- Providing support for urgent winter preparations, including shelter, water, sanitation, and health supplies to alleviate suffering and mitigate public health risks.
- Supporting the Palestinian Authority, in collaboration with the transitional NCAG, the United Nations, and other humanitarian partners, to restore essential health services and rehabilitate health infrastructure. This support must strengthen unified Palestinian institutions as part of the pathway towards a two-state solution while avoiding the creation of parallel structures that could deepen the political divide between Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem.
- Reaffirming the crucial role of the United Nations and its agencies, the Red Crescent Movement, and other impartial international humanitarian organisations in delivering humanitarian assistance as outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2803. This includes supporting UNRWA, which continues to be an essential provider of services across Palestine and the wider region.
Appeal to the Israeli Government for Humanitarian Access
We call upon the Israeli government to:
- Facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access throughout Gaza via all available crossings and land routes, expanding crossing capacities and operating hours. This includes removing arbitrary quotas, delays, and bureaucratic obstacles that hinder the timely delivery of aid and increase costs, while ensuring the safe movement of humanitarian personnel and supplies within Gaza.
- Ensure the full operation of the Egyptian and Jordanian humanitarian corridor, with adequate daily convoy slots, expedited inspections, and uninterrupted movement through the relevant crossings.
- Approve additional essential items, especially those considered “dual use”, particularly those related to shelter, fuel, water, sanitation, and health supplies to prevent further deterioration of public health. Timely approvals through the UN2720 mechanism are crucial, and given the dire humanitarian situation, refusals should be rare and in strict alignment with the Geneva Conventions, which mandate the free passage of essential medical supplies.
- Restore the medical referral pathway to hospitals in East Jerusalem and the West Bank for patients whose conditions cannot be adequately treated in Gaza.
- Ensure the protection of healthcare workers, facilities, and medical transport in line with international humanitarian law and UN Security Council Resolution 2286, while providing due process and appropriate access for detained healthcare personnel, including access for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
- Guarantee the protection of all notified humanitarian sites and ensure the safety of humanitarian and civilian personnel and infrastructure.
- Initiate transparent criminal investigations into attacks against healthcare and humanitarian workers.
- Allow access for senior international delegations and journalists to Gaza. With the ceasefire now in effect for nearly a year and ongoing efforts to fulfil commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the 20 Point Plan, the presence of diplomats and journalists will help clarify the situation on the ground.
This call to action is supported by Australia, Denmark, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom.