Queen Rania calls for int’l pressure to end suffering of Gazans

AMMAN — The attacks on helpless civilians in UNRWA premises and other humanitarian spaces in Gaza “demonstrate the blatant disregard for human life in this conflict", Her Majesty Queen Rania said Sunday.

"What more proof does the world need that there is no safe place in Gaza? No safe place for tens of thousands of desperate and defenceless civilians seeking refuge from the violence?” Her Majesty asked.

At a meeting with UNRWA Commissioner General Pierre Krähenbühl and several members of the agency's team at its headquarters in Amman, Queen Rania discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between Jordan and UNRWA in addressing the needs of Palestinians in Gaza, according to a statement from Her Majesty's office. 

She noted that Gaza is suffering the third round of conflict in less than six years. 

"We need international support and international pressure to stop the extraordinary suffering that is growing by the hour,” the Queen said. 

She stressed the need for the donor community to respond immediately to the UNRWA emergency appeal. 

“Gaza is a protracted humanitarian disaster; its people have been trapped in a vicious cycle of bloodshed and blockade for too long," Her Majesty said. 

"Failure to meet the desperate needs of Gaza’s innocent civilians today would be a fundamental failure in our humanity… a total failure of our human spirit.”

When this latest conflict broke out in Gaza, UNRWA put in place an emergency response on July 7. 

It appealed for $115 million in order to respond to the consequences  of the crisis, including the immediate needs of displaced Palestinians, and to address the initial recovery efforts once the hostilities come to an end. 

The present round of Israeli military operations and ground offensive, air strikes and rocket fire, have left over a thousand dead and thousands injured. 

Over 170,000 people have sought shelter in UNRWA schools, facing uncertainty, anguish and risks to their lives. 

UNRWA premises have been damaged and hit directly by shelling on four separate occasions, in the Maghazi camp, in Jabalia and in Beit Hanoun, causing death and injury among civilians who sought protection and shelter in those very premises.

"The situation in Gaza has been extreme for so many years, to the point of becoming completely unsustainable," said Krähenbühl.

"This conflict has been a terrible added blow. It is taking a staggering toll on Gaza's civilians, and will leave a lasting mark for years to come — particularly on children," he added.

"During the humanitarian ceasefire declared on July 26, there were heartbreaking scenes when scores of civilian remains were recovered from underneath destroyed homes and buildings."

At the meeting, Krähenbuhl expressed UNRWA's gratitude for Jordan's continued support in facilitating the flow of humanitarian supplies through the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organisation (JHCO), including an airlift of supplies for Gaza from the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. 

To date, JHCO has facilitated the passage of over 62 aid convoys to Gaza.