Sat May 17 04:38:40 UTC 2025: ## News Article:

**U.N. Official Urges Immediate Gaza Aid Delivery, Criticizes U.S.-Backed Alternative Amid Rising Starvation**

**UNITED NATIONS, May 17, 2025 (The Hindu)** – As Israel continues to block humanitarian aid to Gaza for the 75th consecutive day, U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher issued a strong statement on Friday, urging immediate resumption of aid deliveries through the U.N.’s established plan. He also cautioned against wasting time on an alternative U.S.-backed proposal, which he deemed unproven.

Fletcher emphasized that the U.N. is prepared to deliver critical assistance to the besieged enclave, where a global hunger monitor warns that half a million people are on the brink of starvation. “To those proposing an alternative modality for aid distribution, let’s not waste time. We already have a plan,” he declared, highlighting the availability of 9,000 trucks and 160,000 pallets of relief ready to be deployed.

The U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aims to transport aid through private security and logistics firms to secure hubs, with distribution handled by aid groups. However, the U.N. has refused to collaborate, citing concerns over impartiality, neutrality, and independence. Fletcher reiterated the U.N.’s existing capacity: “We have the people. We have the distribution networks. We have the trust of the communities on the ground. And we have the aid itself… Let us work.”

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has requested that Israel permit the U.N. and other aid groups to resume deliveries while its infrastructure is being established. A source familiar with the situation claims that Israel has committed to this request.

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza is a direct consequence of the ongoing conflict, sparked by the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas militants on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis and the capture of 250 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel’s subsequent military campaign has reportedly killed over 53,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.

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