I have just completed my second visit to Gaza, since the 7 October 2023 attacks.

The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues, even if the ceasefire has offered a much-needed respite.

In addition to immense human suffering, I also witnessed an unimaginable degree of the destruction of infrastructure and houses, and an overwhelming volume of rubble. By one estimate, 40 million tons of debris and rubble were generated by the conflict, which will take years to remove.

And as uncertainties mount, we need to focus all efforts on avoiding a return to war, which would be an absolute tragedy. And I reiterate the call for a permanent ceasefire and the release of all hostages without delay.

There is no time to lose. UNOPS continues to support the UN’s efforts to reach Palestinian civilians in need and scale up support. For that, we need rapid, unhindered and safe humanitarian access to provide relief for all.

UNOPS stands ready to support the implementation of this ceasefire deal and scale up the delivery of sustained humanitarian relief. We have supported the humanitarian operations in Gaza since the start of this conflict, thanks to our colleagues who have worked relentlessly hard despite the impossible conditions.

Our Gaza response includes many aspects. We work on the procurement, delivery, monitoring and lately distribution of fuel. We manage the operation of the UN2720 Mechanism, which aims to increase and speed up the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to Gaza. And together with UN Mine Action - we work to mitigate the dangers of landmines and unexploded ordnance.

During my visit, I had an opportunity to see the impact of some of our work. I saw the crucial role that UNOPS plays in keeping essential services running through fuel provision.

On fuel, our efforts have picked up tenfold following the ceasefire. Currently, approximately 1.2 million litres of fuel per day is provided for the entire humanitarian operation in Gaza, as well as for essential services such as hospitals and clinics, telecoms and bakeries.

The fuel provision has kept life-saving medical services operational, as I witnessed during a visit to the European Hospital in Khan Yunis. But the scars of war were visible everywhere in this hospital. Doctors told me about the extreme pressures they faced over the last 15 months: surgeries without anaesthetic, post-surgery infections due to lack of antibiotics, infants dying due to the lack of electricity powering the incubators, urgent cancer surgeries postponed for over a year due the massive influx of severely injured, among many other issues.

In this same hospital, UNOPS has in previous years installed hybrid solar systems, to provide renewable energy. With the war, the solar system is now inoperable. As we look to recovery and reconstruction, this is a reminder about the crucial need to invest in renewable energy, so that hospitals can continue to function in cleaner, more sustainable ways.

In the face of the human tragedy in Gaza, we have a collective and urgent responsibility to act - not only to meet acute humanitarian needs, but also to plan for recovery and reconstruction.

UNOPS is determined to stay and deliver for the people of Gaza. We continue to call for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, and we will continue to work as part of the UN family to deliver hope, dignity and pathways toward a better future.