Israel has declared it will not accept UNRWA convoys carrying food to northern Gaza while prices of essential goods in the area have increased 25 times compared to before the conflict.
Food prices in the Gaza Strip have increased significantly recently, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) said on March 25, as the conflict between Hamas and Israel is pushing people in this Mediterranean coastal strip to the brink of famine.
In a statement, the agency noted that prices of essential goods in northern Gaza had increased 25 times compared to pre-conflict levels.
On March 24, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said Israel had informed the United Nations that it would no longer accept UNRWA food convoys to northern Gaza.
Mr. Lazzarini said this action hindered humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza, and stressed the need to lift such restrictions.
In a related development, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on March 25 that he had a "constructive meeting" with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who is visiting Washington.
He welcomed Secretary Gallant's commitment to take additional steps to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The US State Department announced that Mr. Gallant also met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 25, in which the head of US diplomacy emphasized alternative solutions to military action in the city of Rafah, south of Gaza, thereby ensuring security interests for Israel while protecting the lives of Palestinian people.
TH (according to Vietnam+)