Residents of Gaza facing ‘grim reality’ of aid being stopped, MSPs told

Gaza is facing the “grim reality” of aid being stopped from entering, MSPs have been told, and the territory could see “total disaster”.

The Israeli government announced at the weekend a “basic” amount of food would be allowed to enter Gaza, but UN agencies on the ground have said the trucks have not yet arrived.

Speaking to MSPs on Thursday, the head of a leading aid charity said the region faces “total disaster” if humanitarian help is cut off.

Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), appeared at the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee on Thursday, where he warned of the impact on Palestinians.

“The current situation now with water being impacted, fuel being cut short, means that we are really facing the grim reality of total aid being stopped,” he said.

“That means that within days or weeks we are going to see a total disaster fold in Gaza.

“I can only hope that people are now waking up to see this and realise this, and that international pressure is starting to work to lift the blockade and really get the supplies that people in Gaza so desperately need.

“We cannot wait to see this disaster fold any further, because that will be a truly shocking situation that we will all live to regret.”

Disaster fold is a term which refers to a compound disaster leading to total collapse.

In recent days, diplomatic pressure on the Israeli government has ramped up, with the UK, French and Canadian governments intervening.

On Tuesday, Prime Minster Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney released a joint statement condemning the “egregious actions” of Israel.

“We strongly oppose the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable,” the trio said.

“Yesterday’s announcement that Israel will allow a basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate.”

The statement added that the Israeli government’s denial of aid “is unacceptable and risks breaching international humanitarian law”.

Mr Saeed added that, in discussions with colleagues on the ground in Gaza, “it was clear that the demeanour has changed” among aid workers.

“People are starting to really feel helpless and hopeless,” he said.