UN to resume humanitarian aid operations "as soon as practical"

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Source: CCTV.com | 01-10-2009 08:59

UN officials say they will resume their suspended humanitarian aid operations in Gaza "as soon as practical." They made the announcement on Friday based on assurances from the Israeli Ministry of Defense that aid workers would be better protected.

Palestinians receive food aid from the United Nations Relief  and Works Agency (UNRWA) at the refugee camp of Rafah in the  southern Gaza Strip on the border with Egypt. The main UN  agency operating in the Gaza Strip halted its operations on  Thursday after an attack on a truck convoy and amid mounting  calls for Israel to abide by international humanitarian law. (AFP/Said Khatib)

The Israeli military has said they "deeply regretted" the incidents that led the UN to suspend aid deliveries in the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

Michelle Montas, spokesperson for UN Secretary General, said, "The UN received credible assurances that the security of UN personnel, installations, and humanitarian operations would be fully respected including undertakings of improved liaison and more effective internal coordination within the IDF. On this basis, UN staff movements suspended yesterday will resume as soon as possible."

John Ging, director of Operations in Gaza, UN Relief & Works Agency, said, "All we want on the operational side is that we can rely on the information that is provided, and that we will not have our security compromised due to poor coordination or breakdowns in communication. There is enough risk here as it is a combat zone."