United Nations, Oct 1 (NationPress) UN relief chief Tom Fletcher has recently expressed his support for US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace initiative, which he believes can create new avenues for the delivery of large-scale, urgently needed life-saving assistance.

"We stand ready and willing to engage in a practical and principled manner to capitalize on this moment for peace," stated Fletcher, who serves as the under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator.

He pointed out that the UN's teams, networks, supplies, and expertise are prepared to be mobilized swiftly and effectively, similar to actions taken during the previous ceasefire that collapsed in mid-March. As has been consistently highlighted, it is vital to cease all attacks, restore public order, and facilitate humanitarian access throughout Gaza, as reported by Xinhua.

Fletcher emphasized that removing restrictions on the entry of essential goods and the operations of international non-governmental organizations is a critical demand. These measures would enable humanitarian groups to reinstate community-based services to a level where no individual is overlooked.

Moreover, it is essential for the private sector to function at a significant scale, he added, pointing out that humanitarian aid alone cannot fulfill the extensive needs present in Gaza.

Ensuring that these conditions are maintained, along with substantial and reliable funding and the restoration of devastated facilities and infrastructure, is paramount, according to Fletcher.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), led by Fletcher, has cautioned that regions throughout the Gaza Strip, particularly Gaza City, continue to face intense Israeli bombardment.

The UN Human Rights Office reported that from Wednesday to Sunday, Israeli strikes escalated in the northwestern part of Deir al-Balah, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 89 Palestinians in around a dozen distinct incidents.

OCHA further indicated that Gaza health authorities have documented that 175 individuals, including 35 children, have succumbed to starvation and malnutrition since the declaration of famine in the Gaza governorate in August.

The UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees noted that in Gaza City, its teams are managing 18 shelters for over 4,000 people, although 28 others remain either inaccessible or had to be evacuated. Currently, only one of the agency's five medical facilities in Gaza City is operational, as stated by OCHA.