Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has reported a significant decrease in the amount of food and humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip. This decline comes in the wake of Israel's recent military actions in the Rafah area. According to the UN, the average number of aid trucks arriving in Gaza has dropped to 58 trucks per day since May 7, compared to a daily average of 176 trucks before the escalation. This represents a stark 67% decrease, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza where at least 500 trucks are needed daily.
The UN highlighted that the decrease is due to the closure of the Rafah crossing and difficulties in transporting goods safely through the Kerem Shalom crossing. This deterioration has severely impacted the already dire living conditions for the 2.2 million Palestinians residing in Gaza.
Global Condemnation and Calls for Investigation
Meanwhile, more than 30 countries at a World Health Organization (WHO) meeting condemned Israel's attacks on hospitals in Gaza, calling for an investigation into the health crisis and holding Israel accountable for worsening the threat of famine. The WHO has documented hundreds of attacks on health facilities in Gaza since the conflict reignited on October 7th, significantly hampering medical services across the region.
In line with these concerns, the European Union’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, firmly rejected Israel’s attempts to classify the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) as a terrorist organization. Borrell reaffirmed the EU's support for UNRWA, underlining its critical role in saving Palestinian lives and maintaining social stability.
In addition to the health crisis, the recent Israeli attacks have caused immense casualties and displacement among the population. The Palestinian Civil Defense and Red Crescent reported that 16 Palestinians were killed in fresh attacks in northwest Rafah. These incidents have pushed many families to seek refuge in tent camps and other war-ravaged areas, compounding the already severe humanitarian crisis.
The Israeli government, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has vowed to continue its military operations in Rafah, claiming the need to dismantle Hamas and recover hostages. However, the international community, including the United States and the International Court of Justice, has urged Israel to halt its offensive. Despite these appeals, the situation on the ground remains dire, with ongoing shelling and attacks disrupting essential medical and humanitarian services.
- The ongoing conflict has put immense pressure on Gaza's limited medical infrastructure. Two medical facilities in the Tel al-Sultan neighborhood were forced to cease operations due to heavy shelling, trapping doctors, patients, and displaced people inside. Most of Gaza's hospitals are no longer operational, and the few that remain, such as Kuwait Hospital in Rafah, face severe shortages of supplies and staff.
- The humanitarian crisis is further intensified by the displacement of nearly a million people from Rafah and surrounding areas since early May. Many are now living in precarious conditions in tent camps or other severely damaged locations, compounding the challenges faced by aid organizations trying to provide relief.
