A coalition of 12 major aid organizations issued a dire warning on April 17, 2025, stating that the humanitarian aid system in Gaza is on the brink of “total collapse” due to the ongoing Israeli blockade of aid and supplies, which began on March 2. This alarming announcement comes as the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 61,700, according to the Gaza Government Media Office, which includes thousands presumed dead under the rubble.
The United Nations also expressed deep concern, with spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stating that “humanitarian supplies are nearing total depletion.” The situation is further exacerbated by recent Israeli attacks, which, according to medical sources on April 17, resulted in at least 32 fatalities, with 23 of those occurring in northern Gaza.
In a separate development on April 17, Hamas’s Gaza chief signaled a willingness to negotiate a comprehensive exchange of captives for an agreed-upon number of Palestinian prisoners, contingent on a deal that brings an end to the ongoing conflict. Also on the same day, reports emerged of the death of a 20-year-old man in an Israeli prison.
The following day, April 18, further Israeli strikes on Gaza resulted in the deaths of 15 people, predominantly women and children. Additional reports indicated that Israeli airstrikes on tents within Gaza led to at least 35 Palestinian deaths in a 24-hour period.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported on April 17 that at least 51,065 Palestinians have been confirmed dead and 116,505 wounded since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza 18 months ago. The updated figures from the Gaza Government Media Office, exceeding 61,700 deaths, underscore the immense scale of the crisis.
The ongoing blockade and continued violence are creating a catastrophic situation for the civilian population, with aid organizations struggling to provide essential assistance amid dwindling supplies and increasing casualties.