UN aid deliveries to Gaza have been suspended once again due to shortages of fuel and a communications shutdown, leading to a severe threat of starvation and disease in the region. Humanitarian agencies have warned that the halt in aid deliveries is deepening the misery of hungry and homeless Palestinians as Israel continues to restrict fuel supplies.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) expressed grave concern on Friday, stating that civilians in Gaza face the “immediate possibility of starvation.” The World Health Organization also highlighted the rapid spread of disease in the area. The lack of fuel has scuppered the distribution of supplies, exacerbating an already dire situation.
While Israel has permitted some aid to enter Gaza through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, the flow of fuel has been severely limited. This has resulted in a suspension of humanitarian supplies, as fuel is crucial for the delivery of aid and medical care. Palestinian telecommunications companies Jawwal and Paltel reported a communications blackout after running out of fuel, adding to the challenges faced by the population.
In response to mounting concerns, Israel’s war cabinet agreed to allow two fuel trucks per day into Gaza for UN needs, aiming to provide minimal support for water, sewerage, and sanitary systems to prevent pandemics. However, this measure falls short of the significant fuel requirements to address the crisis.
Aid agencies stress that the situation is worsening as winter approaches. Abeer Etefa, a spokesperson for the WFP in the Middle East, highlighted the dire consequences, stating, “Food production has come to an almost complete halt, markets have collapsed, fishermen cannot access the sea, farmers cannot reach their farms.” The lack of clean water and overcrowded shelters further compound the crisis, putting civilians at immediate risk of starvation.
The World Health Organization has expressed deep concern over the spread of disease in Gaza, reporting over 70,000 cases of acute respiratory infections and 44,000 cases of diarrhea, far exceeding expected numbers. With no sign of a ceasefire or humanitarian pauses, despite international calls, the war and blockade in Gaza continue into its seventh week.
Tragically, the conflict was triggered by a cross-border raid by Hamas fighters on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians. In response, Israel launched a retaliatory military assault on Gaza, resulting in the deaths of over 11,500 Palestinians, including at least 4,700 children, according to the enclave’s health ministry. The Israeli military’s chief of staff claims that Israel is close to destroying Hamas’s military system in the northern Gaza Strip.
As the humanitarian situation worsens, Israel’s attacks have led to the destruction of entire neighborhoods in Gaza, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The dire consequences of the conflict are evident, with aid agencies describing the situation as catastrophic.
The international community continues to call for a ceasefire or humanitarian pauses to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. However, with no signs of respite, the population remains at the mercy of the ongoing conflict and blockade. Urgent action is needed to address the immediate threat of starvation and disease faced by the people of Gaza.
