United Nations: Equipment restrictions hinder rubble removal and body recovery in Gaza

The United Nations warned that restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment and supplies are hindering efforts to remove rubble and recover the bodies of victims in the Gaza Strip. The spokesperson for the Secretary-General stated that 94% of Gaza's population of about 2.1 million people need shelter and basic aid, and that the shelter sector requires $562 million to meet emergency needs, while less than a quarter of that amount has been secured.

The United Nations warned that restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment and supplies into the Gaza Strip are significantly hindering efforts to remove rubble and recover the bodies of victims. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said in press remarks on Thursday that 94% of Gaza's population, about 2.1 million people, need shelter and basic household aid amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions. He explained that the shelter sector requires $562 million to meet emergency response requirements, while less than a quarter of the required amount has been secured, widening the gap in providing housing and basic needs for the displaced. He added that about two-thirds of families in Gaza live in tents or temporary shelters, and that these shelters are rapidly deteriorating due to weather conditions. The UN affirmed that restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment and other supplies hinder rubble removal and body recovery operations, and limit the ability of humanitarian agencies to respond to growing needs.