Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Asim Iftikhar has said that obstructing access to humanitarian aid in Gaza has become a “continuous and recurring pattern” of Israeli policy, as he addressed an emergency session of the UN Security Council.
He said the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains extremely grave, with civilians continuing to endure severe hardship amid ongoing conflict and restrictions on aid delivery.
Severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza
Asim Iftikhar told the Council that nearly two million people in Gaza are living under extremely difficult conditions, with widespread displacement and limited access to basic necessities.
He said that more than 90 percent of the population has been displaced, while only half of the hospitals in Gaza are partially functional.
The Pakistani envoy warned that severe hunger and food insecurity are affecting millions of people, adding that daily meal distribution has dropped significantly compared to earlier levels.
He highlighted that overcrowding and poor sanitation conditions are contributing to the rapid spread of diseases.
According to him, more than one million children are facing displacement along with deprivation of essential health and education services, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Aid restrictions criticised
Asim Iftikhar said the core issue is the “arbitrary obstruction and delay” in humanitarian aid access, which he described as a repeated and systematic policy pattern.
He stated that such actions are a violation of the obligations of an occupying power under international law and are worsening the suffering of civilians.
He further said these measures amount to violations of the UN Charter, relevant Security Council resolutions, and the principles outlined in international humanitarian frameworks.
Pakistan urged the international community to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and to take urgent steps to address the worsening crisis in Gaza.
