The head of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), Jorge Moreira da Silva, made the appeal on a visit to Gaza on Thursday.
The head of UNOPS told Euronews that the ceasefire must hold in Gaza as the Palestinian territory remains in the midst of a humanitarian disaster.
The UN agency is providing fuel to Gaza, which is the only source of energy, and now also facilitates all aid into Gaza after Israel declared the previous agency doing the work, UNRWA, illegal.
“Seventy percent of all infrastructure is destroyed,” Jorge Moreira da Silva said.
“It’s fundamental to bring all humanitarian aid that is needed in terms of emergencies. But it’s fundamental to prepare for early recover.”
“And orderly recovery means removing the rubble, rehabilitating the roads, bringing electricity, bringing sanitation, and constructing hospitals and schools. And this is a huge responsibility and requires the international community to get mobilised,” he explained.
Euronews asked da Silva about President Trump’s decision to freeze aid to Gaza and what role the EU could now play in its rehabiliation.
”I prefer not to comment on any member state specific decision”, he said. ”I would only say that this is a moment where solidarity is needed in the Middle East. We have the obligation to provide support to the people in Lebanon, in Syria, in Gaza, in the West Bank,” he added.
The European Commission announced last month a new humanitarian aid package for Gaza worth €120 million, this brings total EU humanitarian assistance to Gaza to over €450 million since 2023. Plus, EU Air Bridge Flights which have delivered over 3,800 tonnes of aid.
The UNOPS head says he is confident the EU is committed to aiding the Palestinians.
“I have no doubt that the European Union will play an important role. I know the European Union. I’ve been a member of Parliament, I was a minister in Portugal. So I know the EU policy and I know how committed it is,” he said.