The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate, with the United Nations decrying the insufficient aid reaching the besieged population. Simultaneously, the United Kingdom has announced sanctions against Israel, citing concerns over civilian deaths and settlement activities.
On May 22, 2025, Israeli forces continued their bombardment of Gaza
Airstrikes hit a warehouse in Deir el-Balah, where displaced Palestinians were sheltering, killing at least nine people. An additional airstrike in the as-Saftawi area near Gaza City resulted in at least four fatalities. The al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza remains under siege, with tanks firing on the hospital buildings, exacerbating an already critical healthcare situation. Medical sources indicate that at least 93 people have been killed in Israeli attacks across the Gaza Strip since dawn on Wednesday.
The United Nations has voiced increasing alarm over the dire humanitarian conditions
The UN chief spokesperson stated on May 22, 2025, that the limited humanitarian aid entering Gaza is “nowhere near enough to meet the needs” of the population. This bottleneck is severely impacting the ability to provide essential supplies to civilians, who are already suffering from the effects of prolonged conflict and displacement.
Adding to the pressure on Israel, the UK government has taken decisive action
The UK government has suspended free trade negotiations and imposing new sanctions targeting settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move signals growing international concern over the rising civilian death toll and the ongoing expansion of settlements, which are deemed illegal under international law.
Reports from UN aid workers on May 21, 2025, indicate that five trucks of aid, which were permitted to enter Gaza at the start of the week, are still awaiting permission from Israeli authorities for distribution. This delay further compounds the crisis, as essential supplies remain滞留 while the population faces severe shortages.
Prior to this, on May 21, 2025, Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 85 Palestinians, according to health officials. These strikes included incidents where a family home and a school-turned-shelter were hit. The Israeli military maintains that it targeted a Hamas command center and provided advance warnings to civilians.
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict continues to drive the crisis in Gaza
The recent escalation, beginning after attacks on October 7, 2023, has intensified the already dire humanitarian situation. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for an extended period, significantly impacting the living conditions and access to essential resources for its residents. The international community continues to grapple with finding a viable path towards de-escalation and a lasting resolution to the conflict.