NEW YORK – United Nations (UN) spokesman Stephane Dujarric responded to Israeli Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir’s claim that the so-called “yellow line” currently demarcating the Israeli-occupied territory of Gaza represents the “new border” with Israel.
Israel has retained approximately 58% of Gaza after withdrawing to the so-called “yellow line” as part of the ceasefire. Israeli forces will eventually withdraw from all of Gaza under the plan. Dujarric said, “This statement seems to contradict the spirit and letter of the Trump peace plan.” “We firmly oppose any changes to the Gaza-Israel border,” he said. He also criticized Israel’s restrictions on supplies entering Gaza as heavy rains again pounded the region.
“Although the UN is providing tents, tarpaulins, blankets, and winter clothing, more sustainable preparedness for shelters and flooding remains impossible,” said Stephane Dujarric. “You may recall that a major obstacle to the shelter response is the strict registration requirements for NGOs imposed by Israeli authorities,” Dujarric told reporters at a daily briefing.
“Many of our NGO partners are still prevented from delivering aid, and nearly 4,000 pallets of shelter materials have been rejected by Israeli authorities,” he explained. “Gaza desperately needs heavy equipment, tools, and more shelter materials to prevent devastating flooding,” he said.
