GENEVA: The United Nations emphasized on Tuesday that maintaining the current ceasefire in Gaza is essential for sustaining humanitarian efforts and saving lives. Abeer Etefa, the Middle East spokesperson for the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), told reporters in Geneva that the truce remains fragile but critical.
“Sustaining the ceasefire is vital; it’s the only way we can save lives,” Etefa stated, stressing the importance of a lasting halt in hostilities to ensure aid reaches those in need. Since the ceasefire began, WFP has delivered over 6,700 tonnes of food via 530 trucks — enough to support nearly half a million people for two weeks.
Etefa noted significant improvements in aid distribution, with food being delivered to warehouses and distributed in a “dignified and organized manner.” She also confirmed that there have been no incidents of looting targeting WFP convoys during the ceasefire period.
Currently, 26 food distribution sites are operating in Gaza, up from just five last Friday, though still far below the planned 145. Most are located in the southern and central regions. Etefa urged the opening of all border crossings, particularly in northern Gaza, where food scarcity is most severe.
