The humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens as violence obstructs UN relief operations. Both Israeli military actions and armed Palestinian groups disrupt aid deliveries, deepening the suffering.
Tom Fletcher, the UN’s Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, warns that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. He emphasizes, “Our efforts to deliver food, water, and medicine to survivors are at breaking point.”
Relief Operations Face Mounting Challenges
Israeli forces fired 16 rounds at a clearly marked UN convoy on Sunday. Additionally, an Israeli airstrike injured three workers at a food distribution site operated by a World Food Programme (WFP) partner.
Armed Palestinian groups hijacked six fuel tankers entering Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing. Their actions deprived humanitarian agencies of the fuel needed to sustain relief operations.
Fletcher criticizes the lack of order, stating, “Israeli forces fail to protect convoys, and volunteers and aid workers face constant attacks.”
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Since October 7, 2023, the conflict in Gaza has killed 45,854 Palestinians and injured 109,139. On the Israeli side, Hamas-led attacks killed 1,139 people and captured 250 individuals.
Civilians continue to suffer. On Monday, a baby froze to death in Gaza due to extreme winter conditions. UN agencies hold Israel’s restrictions on aid responsible for blocking vital supplies like tents, blankets, and mattresses.
Over 1.6 million people in Gaza live in makeshift shelters, with nearly half a million in flood-prone areas. Gaza authorities report that 110,000 of 135,000 tents are too worn out for use.
“These deaths were preventable,” the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) states. “Families cannot access the basic items they need to survive.”
Global Action Urgently Needed
Fletcher urges UN member states to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian operations in Gaza. “This should not need to be said,” he asserts.
As violence escalates and lawlessness spreads, the UN demands immediate international intervention. The survival of countless people depends on urgent action.
