Gaza: A Call to Action on Humanitarian Access and Health
Eight nations urge immediate implementation of UN Resolution 2803 to restore Gaza’s health system and humanitarian access, citing severe shortages and restricted aid entry.
Eight countries including the UK, Australia, and Egypt have reiterated their commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which mandates immediate humanitarian access to Gaza at levels agreed on 19 January 2025. The plan prioritises rehabilitation of critical infrastructure such as water, electricity, and hospitals, alongside debris removal and road clearance. Delivery of aid must occur without interference through UN agencies, the Red Crescent, and other impartial organisations. The signatories stress that these commitments must be enacted without further delay to address urgent needs.
Nearly a year after the ceasefire, progress in Gaza remains uneven despite demonstrated potential when political will aligns. Basic humanitarian needs persist, particularly in healthcare and public health, where the sector has been severely damaged. Hospitals are non-functional, fuel and equipment shortages are widespread, and medical supplies are intermittent, leaving chronic disease patients untreated. At least 43,000 people face life-changing disabilities without access to specialised care, prosthetics, or rehabilitation services.
The health crisis reflects broader system collapse in Gaza, with winter approaching and inadequate shelter, water, sanitation, and health services exacerbating risks. Disease outbreaks and environmental contamination are growing concerns as conditions deteriorate. The signatories highlight that the primary obstacle to restoring health services is Israel’s restrictions on the entry of aid at scale and construction materials needed to rehabilitate facilities.
The joint statement underscores that immediate action is required to prevent further deterioration. It calls for the lifting of restrictions to allow full implementation of Resolution 2803, emphasising that humanitarian assistance must be delivered without obstruction. The signatories reaffirm their support for the Palestinian Authority and local governance structures in facilitating recovery and long-term peace efforts.