Introduction

Five United Nations agencies have called for increased global assistance in response to the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. The area, which is currently under siege and facing bombings by Israel, is described as “catastrophic.”

Israel’s Intensified Strikes

As Israel announced plans to escalate its attacks in Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, senior officers issued warnings for forces to prepare to enter the besieged Palestinian territories.

Arrival of Aid Trucks

On Saturday, aid trucks from Egypt arrived in Gaza, providing some relief amidst the crisis. However, the need for assistance remains urgent.

Urgent Need for Humanitarian Assistance

According to the statement issued by the United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, over 1.6 million people in Gaza require immediate humanitarian aid. The most vulnerable groups include children, pregnant women, and the elderly, with almost half of Gaza’s population being children.

A Desperate Humanitarian Situation

Highlighting the severity of the situation, the agencies emphasized that Gaza was already in a desperate humanitarian state before the recent hostilities. However, the ongoing bombings have escalated it to a catastrophic level, demanding immediate action from the international community.

UN Agencies Involved

The statement was jointly signed by three additional United Nations agencies: the World Food Programme, the development agency of the United Nations Development Programme, and the Population Fund of the United Nations Population Fund.

Israeli Actions and Criticisms

Israel has faced criticism for its indiscriminate killing of civilians, including children, women, the elderly, and even animals, in the past two weeks. The country’s bombings have targeted UN refugee camps, schools, bakeries, churches, mosques, and hospitals, resulting in a significant loss of life. Evacuation warnings have also been issued to hospitals, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Israeli Threats to Civilians

Additionally, the Israeli military has warned civilians in northern Gaza that they will be treated and killed as terrorists if they do not evacuate the area to the south.

Human Rights Violations

Since October 7, Israel has killed over 4,000 civilians and injured tens of thousands in Gaza. This has deprived 2.3 million Gazans of basic human rights, including access to food, water, medical aid, and electricity.