The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has condemned Israel's ongoing obstruction of humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, where Palestinians in the northern region are facing dire conditions amid relentless military attacks.

In a statement released on Tuesday, OCHA highlighted that Israeli authorities have repeatedly denied UN-led attempts to provide essential assistance to civilians in Gaza. Specifically, two recent missions to evacuate patients and deliver critical supplies, including food, water, fuel, hygiene kits, and cleaning supplies, were blocked by Israeli forces.

"Today, two attempts to reach hospitals in the North Gaza governorate were denied," OCHA said. The planned missions were intended to evacuate patients from Al Awda and Indonesian hospitals, both located in northern Gaza, which have been severely impacted by the ongoing conflict.

Access to Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya remains extremely limited due to the ongoing Israeli siege. While Al Awda is the only hospital still partially functional in the region, it is struggling with severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies. The Indonesian Hospital, meanwhile, has been rendered non-operational, with essential equipment destroyed and the facility lacking basic resources such as water, electricity, and staff.

OCHA further reported that the UN was last able to deliver limited supplies to the Indonesian Hospital late last month, but the situation remains critical as Israel continues to restrict aid access to these vital healthcare facilities.

The UN has reiterated its call for all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza. (ILKHA)