Gaza Herald _A Turkey-based humanitarian organization has urged the international community to renew its focus on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, warning that civilians continue to face severe shortages and deteriorating living conditions despite a ceasefire agreement that was intended to facilitate the delivery of aid and reduce violence.
Mehmet Ali Ortaç, deputy chairman of the Umut Kervanı (Hope Caravan) Foundation, appealed on Wednesday, coinciding with World Humanitarian Day, observed annually on August 19 to highlight humanitarian crises and honor aid workers operating in conflict and disaster zones.
Speaking to ILKHA, Ortaç said Gaza must be returned to the center of international attention and called on people around the world to continue advocating for humanitarian assistance to reach civilians in the besieged enclave.
He said the ceasefire arrangement stipulated that around 600 humanitarian aid trucks should enter Gaza each day, but claimed that only a fraction of that amount was currently reaching the territory.
“According to the so-called ceasefire agreement, 600 humanitarian aid trucks are supposed to enter Gaza every day, but the aid is not being delivered,” Ortaç said.
He also accused Israel of continuing military operations and other measures in Gaza despite the ceasefire arrangement, arguing that the agreement had failed to bring an end to the suffering of civilians.
“Unfortunately, the so-called ceasefire agreement in Gaza has not been implemented since January,” he said, pointing to the continued violence and deteriorating humanitarian conditions.
Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned of critical shortages of food, clean water, medicine and shelter across Gaza, while calling for greater and safer access for aid workers and relief operations.
Ortaç stressed that the humanitarian crisis should not disappear from the global agenda as international attention shifts to other crises.
“We want Gaza to be brought back onto the agenda and for people of conscience everywhere in the world to raise the issue of aid that cannot reach Gaza,” he said.
He further urged governments, particularly those in Muslim-majority countries, to adopt stronger positions in support of Palestinians in Gaza and to increase efforts aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis.
“The world and people of conscience must not remain silent,” Ortaç said.
He also criticized what he described as the international community’s failure to impose effective measures against Israel despite widespread condemnation of its actions, calling for continued international pressure.
Ortaç urged people around the world to maintain public pressure and continue supporting Palestinians in Gaza.
“People around the world must continue their resistance. They must stand with the people of Gaza who are resisting Israel’s oppression,” he said.
He expressed hope that sustained international pressure could eventually help ease the humanitarian crisis and allow more aid to reach Gaza.
World Humanitarian Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2008 and is marked each year on August 19. The day recognizes humanitarian workers and draws attention to the dangers they face while assisting people affected by armed conflicts, natural disasters and other emergencies.
