Gaza City – The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point as a two-month blockade has led to a surge in aid looting and widespread shortages of essential supplies. Israeli attacks have resulted in at least 18 Palestinian deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, further exacerbating the dire situation.
Crippling Blockade and Dwindling Supplies
Humanitarian organizations report that increasing aid looting is a direct consequence of dwindling supplies amid the ongoing Israeli blockade. The UN Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA) has stated that nearly 3,000 aid trucks are currently waiting at the Gaza border, unable to enter the territory. This obstruction has severely impacted the availability of food, water, shelter, and medicine for over 2 million people.
The Gaza Government Media Office has updated the death toll to over 61,700, including those presumed dead under rubble, highlighting the scale of the devastation and the urgent need for humanitarian intervention.
UN Warning and Community Impact
OCHA has warned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening due to relentless hostilities and dwindling supplies. Community kitchens are closing, and emergency shelter kits are nearly depleted, leaving vulnerable populations with minimal support.
West Bank Tensions
In addition to the crisis in Gaza, tensions are also rising in the West Bank. Israel has ordered Palestinians in parts of the Tulkarem and Nur Shams refugee camps to evacuate their homes within 24 hours before planned demolitions. The order affects 58 buildings in Tulkarem and 48 homes in Nur Shams, further displacing already vulnerable communities.
ICJ Intervention
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is currently hearing arguments regarding Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians. A senior Qatari diplomat told the ICJ that Israel is conducting a “genocidal war against the Palestinian people.”
Attacks on Palestinians Collecting Food
Compounding the crisis, Israeli forces are accused of targeting Palestinians collecting food in Gaza, exacerbating hunger and starvation rates among the population.
Conclusion
The situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating, with a two-month blockade crippling humanitarian efforts and leading to widespread aid looting. The international community is calling for immediate action to ensure the delivery of essential supplies and to address the root causes of the ongoing conflict.