Gaza City – The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is deepening as a severe aid blockade prevents vital supplies from reaching the besieged population. According to the UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), nearly 3,000 aid trucks are stalled at Gaza’s border, unable to enter, exacerbating an already dire situation. The UN warns of a looming famine as the ongoing Israeli blockade, now in its second month, chokes off essential resources.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours have killed at least 18 Palestinians, contributing to an overall death toll of at least 52,400, with 118,014 wounded. The Gaza Government Media Office estimates the death toll to be even higher, exceeding 61,700, including thousands missing under rubble. Humanitarian organizations are reporting increased incidents of aid looting, a desperate symptom of dwindling supplies.
UN Concerns and Displacement
The UN has expressed grave concerns over intensified Israeli military operations, which have displaced over 423,000 Palestinians with no safe place to go. A UN spokesperson highlighted that the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is alarmed by severe movement restrictions, military activity, and attacks endangering aid workers. UN rights chief Volker Turk warned that Israel’s aid blockade threatens the very existence of Palestinians in Gaza.
Escalating Violence
Recent reports detail several casualties from Israeli airstrikes, including eight people killed in an airstrike on the Abu Sahlul family home in Khan Younis refugee camp. Violence is also escalating in the West Bank, with reports of Israeli settlers attacking residents and torching farmland south of Nablus.
International Court of Justice
Amid these escalating tensions, a senior Qatari diplomat told the International Court of Justice (ICJ) that Israel is conducting a “genocidal war against the Palestinian people.” The US defended Israel during ICJ hearings on the country’s obligations as an occupying power.
Impact on Children
The conflict’s impact on children is particularly devastating. UNRWA reports that approximately 660,000 children in Gaza are out of school due to Israel’s offensive, raising concerns about the long-term consequences for education and well-being.
Background
The dire situation unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks in Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,139 deaths and over 200 people taken captive. Israel’s subsequent military operation in Gaza has led to this severe humanitarian crisis, marked by significant casualties, displacement, and a looming famine.