The UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has urged Israel to immediately open crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid.
“It should happen now. We want it to happen immediately as part of this agreement,” Fletcher told AFP on Wednesday, referring to the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.
The UN humanitarian chief, who is currently in Cairo, is also expected to pay a visit to Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Thursday.
Ceasefire Agreement
On October 8, 2025, Hamas and Israel agreed to the US-proposed 20-point peace plan to end the war in Gaza, following indirect negotiations mediated by Egypt, the US, Qatar and Türkiye.
The first phase involves ceasefire, the release of all the remaining Israeli hostages – alive and deceased – in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, and increasing humanitarian aid flow to the Strip with 600 trucks expected to enter Gaza daily.
Aid Surge
Following the official signing of the ceasefire agreement in Egypt’s Sharm Al-Sheikh on Monday, Fletcher expressed support for the deal.
“We have set out a 60-day plan for a massive surge in lifesaving aid and I have remained in the region this week to coordinate it. I thank those who signed the agreements in Sharm el Sheikh for being unequivocal in their backing for this mission,” he said in a statement.
Hamas-Israel Dispute
On Tuesday, a dispute erupted between Hamas and Israel over the return of the remains of the deceased hostages, as Tel Aviv accused the Palestinian group of delays, threatening to keep Rafah crossing shut and to reduce aid supplies.
However, Hamas returned more bodies overnight, prompting Israel to announce it would open Rafah crossing to citizens and allow 600 aid trucks to enter, Reuters reported citing Israeli officials.
In the light of this, Fletcher urged both sides to commit to implementing the agreement. “We must not fail to see through in full the implementation of the agreements made,” he noted.
“We need more crossings open and a genuine, practical, problem-solving approach to removing remaining obstacles,” he added.
