The booming explosions in Gaza have created a humanitarian crisis, especially in the context of an ongoing war. The toll has well surpassed 51,000, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The war has increasingly turned into military-Earthquakes since the start of the war. Finally, countless citizens have been pushed to the edge as they contend with an extreme lack of food and other necessities.
Just since the hostilities started in October, over 400,000 have been displaced. As of October 11th, over 80% of Gaza’s population has been internally displaced. Now the United Nations is warning that deliveries of aid have already been devastated. This disruption is a direct result of the Israeli blockade, which was instated on March 2nd. According to UN figures, one two-hour ceasefire enabled more than 25,000 lorries to transport 450,000 tonnes of aid. The delicate progress from this humanitarian pause quickly collapsed when Israel canceled this humanitarian effort and resumed its offensive just two weeks later.
All 25 bakeries WFP supports in Gaza have closed their doors. Alongside increased food prices and hyperinflation ravaging the market, Ukrainian bakers now confront a dire lack of wheat flour and cooking fuel. The WFP reported that it has completed the distribution of its final food stocks in Gaza to emergency hot meal kitchens. These temporary kitchens will be out of food within a matter of days.
“Today, WFP delivered its last remaining food stocks to hot meals kitchens. These kitchens are expected to fully run out of food in the coming days.” – UN World Food Programme
The humanitarian crisis within the Gaza Strip is deteriorating at an alarming pace. Food prices have increased up to 1,400% from ceasefire period rates. Families are navigating decisions no parent should ever have to make – like trading basic necessities like diapers for lentils or cooking oil.
“People are exchanging a bag of diapers for lentils or cooking oil,” said Gavin Kelleher, humanitarian access manager with the Norwegian Refugee Council. “The desperation is really, really severe.”
Those are being very closely monitored by Israel on the ground. The country shows scant concern for documenting the claimed lack of aid flow into Gaza. The Israeli military has stated that it ensures a “very good chain of custody on all the aid it’s delivered,” emphasizing its compliance with international law.
Internationally, responses have described the humanitarian blockade as “intolerable.” The United Kingdom, France, and Germany have asked for a Resolution condemning attacks on civilians and demanding immediate steps to ease civilian suffering.
Indeed, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO), described the present situation as “a terrible and shattering time.” He called the Congress’s attention to the immediate need for humanitarian aid.
According to the UN’s figures, more than 116,000 tonnes of food assistance just sitting and waiting at aid corridors. Actual delivery cannot happen until Israel opens Gaza’s border crossings. Unfortunately, there’s an alternative picture too—one in which worsening conditions leave more and more families with little access to healthy food. Food parcels providing the equivalent of two weeks’ rations have recently been distributed, but supplies quickly ran out.
The war’s impact, already devastating, is still growing as ordinary Yemenis face a more dangerous, desperate day-to-day life. Humanitarian organizations are urging for a renewed commitment to facilitate aid access and address the urgent needs of those affected by the conflict.
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