UN agencies have urged world leaders to intervene and ensure vital supplies reach the besieged Gaza Strip, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate under the ongoing blockade.
Urgent Global Appeal for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Amidst Ongoing Blockade
Urgent Global Appeal for Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Amidst Ongoing Blockade
Top UN officials call for immediate action to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the blockade has persisted for over a month.
The heads of six United Nations agencies have issued a desperate plea for global leaders to act with urgency to facilitate the delivery of food and essential supplies to the Palestinian population in Gaza, which has been under a strict blockade by Israel for over a month. In a joint statement, they highlighted the dire conditions faced by Gazans, describing them as "trapped, bombed and starved," with critical aid accumulating at border crossings.
Since March 2nd, Israel has prevented the entry of humanitarian assistance in response to a stalled ceasefire agreement, demanding that Hamas extend the truce. Hamas has countered that Israel has failed to uphold its side of the pact. While Israel asserts that Gaza possesses sufficient food supplies, UN agencies dispute this claim, emphasizing the food shortages affecting the population.
“During the brief ceasefire, we managed to deliver in two months what was impossible to accomplish in the previous 470 days of conflict due to bombings and blockades,” the officials declared. They underscored the immediate crisis, stating that claims of an adequate food supply are contrary to the on-the-ground reality, where essential commodities are rapidly depleting.
Due to the blockade, bakeries have shut down, grocery stores have emptied, and hospitals are forced to ration vital medical supplies. “Gaza's healthcare system is in distress, with essential medical provisions dwindling fast. We call on global leaders to act decisively to uphold international humanitarian laws — protect civilians, facilitate aid, secure the release of hostages, and renew the ceasefire.”
The previous two-month halt in hostilities allowed for significant humanitarian relief to enter the territory and led to the release of 33 hostages by Hamas, although eight were confirmed deceased in the exchange for the release of approximately 1,900 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. A renewed escalation in airstrikes and ground actions by Israel began on March 18, exacerbating the already critical humanitarian situation following the unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in many casualties and a significant hostage crisis. According to reports from Gaza's health ministry, over 50,810 Palestinians have died in the intensified Israeli military actions since the conflict reignited.
