Sameera Casmod | sameerac@radioislam.co.za
19 January 2024 | 10:22 a.m. SAST
2-min read

Image credit: Middle East Monitor

A deal brokered by Qatar has allowed essential medication to enter Gaza for Israeli detainees and Palestinian civilians.

The medication aims to bring relief to the detainees suffering from chronic conditions, Middle East/North Africa (MENA) Director for Global Counsel, Ahmed Helal reported in an interview on Radio Islam International.

Despite this deal, the overall amount of medication and humanitarian aid entering Gaza falls significantly short of the pressing needs on the ground. Various reports indicate that the situation remains dire, with spreading diseases, starvation, water shortages, and an unrelenting bombing campaign making Gaza unsafe for its residents.

One key aspect highlighted by Helal is the limited access to Gaza, with Israel restricting entry of trucks that used to come in pre-war. Stringent scrutiny has been applied, allowing only one in four trucks compared to the pre-war period. This has further intensified the dire situation faced by the population in Gaza, impacting the delivery of vital supplies and aid.

Diplomatic efforts to improve the situation are ongoing.

“There are [diplomatic] efforts from the Egyptians and the Qataris, the usual mediators. The French got involved in this [medical aid deal] case. But none of this is going to save the people of Gaza, because if you’re having a confrontation from an advanced military that has no compunction and is willing to continuously bomb civilians and to displace them, the mediation needs to lead to an immediate ceasefire,” Helal notes.

The recent rejection of a ceasefire proposal by the Israeli Prime Minister signals a continuation of the conflict, with military expectations suggesting the war may persist for another 12 months.

As Israel’s onslaught on Gaza continues, the mood in the MENA region remains tense. Speculation surrounds Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s strategy, counting on the potential decrease in activism and outrage as time progresses. With over 100 days elapsed, there are concerns that fatigue may set in, diverting attention from the ongoing crisis.

Spillover conflicts in the MENA region, such as Iran and Pakistan exchanging missiles, daily skirmishes between southern Lebanon and Israel, and terrorist attacks targeting civilians in Iran, contribute to the overall difficult atmosphere.

“There’s a very dark cloud looming over the region at the moment,” Helal notes.

Listen to the full interview on Sabaahul Muslim with Moulana Sulaimaan Ravat.