The United Nations Deputy Secretary-General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, affirmed the UN’s readiness to deploy a police force to Gaza if requested by member states.
Speaking at UN headquarters in New York, Lacroix stated, “If we are called on by the relevant bodies to help, of course, we would do our best.”
Lacroix highlighted concerns surrounding aid distribution in Gaza, noting a significant rise in incidents of looting. He stressed the urgency of addressing these issues, suggesting that involving a third party could be one possible solution.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, hundreds of Israelis gathered near the Defence Ministry to protest against the ongoing conflict and to demand the release of hostages held in Gaza. The demonstrators, including families of the hostages, marched from Habima Square to Begin Road, where they staged a blockade.
In a separate development, the Dutch Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to seek clarification following allegations of Israeli intelligence operations targeting the International Criminal Court. The Netherlands expressed its concern over what it described as foreign interference and stated ongoing engagement with the ICC on security matters.
On the military front, Israel’s Defence Minister Yoav Gallant discussed potential scenarios in Lebanon during a visit to Washington, asserting Israel’s capability to inflict severe damage if provoked by Hezbollah. He also addressed bilateral security discussions aimed at resolving differences over US arms deliveries to Israel.
Amid these developments, the United Nations noted challenges in accessing approved aid routes into southern Gaza due to heightened criminal activity and nearby security incidents. This situation underscores ongoing humanitarian concerns amid the escalating tensions and conflicts in the region.
