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5/ Jordan, Arab and Muslim states Warn of Deepening Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza Amid Severe Winter Conditions
Amman, Jan. 2 (Petra)-- Foreign ministers of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Indonesia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Republic of Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar, and the Arab Republic of Egypt have expressed grave concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement distributed by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, the ministers said the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has sharply deteriorated due to harsh and unstable weather conditions, including heavy rainfall and storms, compounded by the continued lack of adequate humanitarian access. They highlighted the severe shortages of life-saving basic supplies and the slow pace of entry of essential materials needed to rehabilitate basic services and establish temporary shelters. The ministers stressed that the extreme weather has exposed the fragility of the already dire humanitarian conditions, particularly for nearly 1.9 million displaced people and families living in inadequate shelters. Flooded camps, damaged tents, the collapse of already-weakened buildings, and exposure to low temperatures combined with malnutrition have significantly increased life-threatening risks to civilians. These risks include the spread of diseases, especially among children, women, the elderly, and people with serious medical conditions. They commended the tireless efforts of all United Nations organizations and agencies, particularly UNRWA, as well as international non-governmental humanitarian organizations, for continuing to assist Palestinians and deliver aid under extremely difficult and complex conditions. The ministers called on Israel to ensure that the United Nations and international NGOs are able to operate in Gaza and the West Bank in a sustainable, predictable, and unrestricted manner, underscoring their central role in the humanitarian response. Any attempt to obstruct their work, they said, is unacceptable. The ministers also reaffirmed their full support for UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and for the comprehensive plan presented by President Donald Trump, expressing their determination to contribute to their successful implementation. They emphasized that this would help ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire, end the war in Gaza, and secure a dignified life for the Palestinian people, who have long endured severe humanitarian suffering, while paving a credible path toward Palestinian self-determination and statehood. In this context, they stressed the urgent need to immediately initiate and expand early recovery efforts, including the provision of permanent and dignified shelter to protect the population from harsh winter conditions. The ministers urged the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities and to exert pressure on Israel, as the occupying power, to immediately lift restrictions on the entry and distribution of essential supplies. These include tents, shelter materials, medical aid, clean water, fuel, and support for sanitation services. They further called for the immediate, full, and unhindered entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza through the United Nations and its agencies, the rehabilitation of infrastructure and hospitals, and the opening of the Rafah crossing in both directions, in accordance with the provisions of President Trump’s comprehensive plan. //Petra// MF
02/01/2026 14:52:25
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