UN Gaza aid chief: Global community is failing innocent civilians

The UN says nearly 300 aid workers, more than two-thirds of them UN staff, have been killed so far in the grievous Gaza war, which is now approaching the one-year mark.

Ms Kaag, one of the few UN officials to meet senior Israeli officials including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described her discussions as “constructive”.

“We put asks on the table. Some are met. We also obtain commitments.”

But she pointed out that “between the commitment and the time that it takes to see visible and tangible implementation, too much time passes”.

“There is not a day, not a second to lose,” she told the BBC in an interview from New York.

Israeli officials have repeatedly insisted enough aid is reaching Gaza, and deny reports of widespread and severe hunger.

Ms Kaag said that “we do know from our surveys and studies that the majority of the population is food insecure” and the UN’s health centres know “how many malnourished or acutely malnourished children or babies come in”.

Asked about Israeli accusations that the main problem with food delivery was Hamas’s diversion of aid, Ms Kaag replied: “We hear that a lot. I find that very difficult to confirm.”

She said that in a war zone “I can’t say everything goes right all the time,” but emphasised: “I can vouch for the integrity of the operations of our colleagues.”