53 countries at UN urge incoming Israeli government to open up Gaza for winter aid

NEW YORK CITY: Fifty-three countries and international organizations on Thursday called on Israel’s incoming government to lift restrictions on shelter materials, fuel and medical supplies entering Gaza.

They warned that as winter sets in, displaced Palestinians faced threats such as hypothermia, respiratory infections and waterborne diseases, and that the levels of aid promised under a US-led peace plan endorsed by the UN Security Council a year ago had yet to materialize.

The call to action was led by the UK, Qatar and Jordan. Britain’s permanent representative to the UN, Sarah MacIntosh, announced it alongside representatives of the signatory countries and organizations.