MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines is calling for the full, safe, rapid, and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement on Friday.
The DFA also mentioned that the Philippines underscores the provision of humanitarian assistance “must remain under the leadership of the United Nations and other internationally mandated actors.”
Humanitarian response must be based on impartial needs assessments and guided by the principles of neutrality, humanity, and accountability, the statement added.
“The Philippines calls on all parties to support the United Nations in meeting its humanitarian mandate. Safeguarding the operational integrity, independence, and effectiveness of UN entities is essential to preserving the legitimacy and credibility of the UN system and its ability to respond meaningfully to humanitarian needs around the world,” the DFA statement read.
The DFA also believes that humanitarian aid must reach the civilian population of Gaza – particularly the most vulnerable, including the sick, women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities – without discrimination and in accordance with international humanitarian law.
"We continue to support a two-state solution, consistent with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 181 and other relevant UN resolutions, as the only viable path toward a just, lasting, and comprehensive peace in the region," the DFA said.
Reports from Reuters stated that a total of 107 aid trucks belonging to the United Nations and other aid groups carrying flour, food, medical equipment and pharmaceutical drugs were transferred on Thursday into the Gaza Strip, the Israeli military said.
Meanwhile, A U.S.-backed organization aims to start work in the Gaza Strip by the end of May, overseeing a new model of aid distribution in the Palestinian enclave, but the United Nations says the plan is not impartial or neutral, and it will not be involved.
The United Nations says the U.S.-backed distribution plan does not meet its long-held principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. U.N. aid chief Tom Fletcher has said time should not be wasted on the alternative proposal.
In a briefing to the Security Council, he explained what was wrong with the Israel-initiated plan: "It forces further displacement. It exposes thousands of people to harm ... It restricts aid to only one part of Gaza, while leaving other dire needs unmet. It makes aid conditional on political and military aims. It makes starvation a bargaining chip."
The U.N. Palestinian relief agency UNRWA has been described by the U.N. as the backbone of the aid operation in Gaza.
However, Israel has accused the agency of anti-Israel incitement and its staff of being "involved in terrorist activities." The U.N. has vowed to investigate all accusations.
(With reports by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Alexandra Hudson and Rod Nickel/REUTERS)
