With the threat of an Israeli ground offensive in Gaza, the top UN humanitarian official has urgently called for an end to the increasing violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel, emphasizing that the entire region stands on the brink of a major crisis. UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths described the speed and magnitude of the unfolding situation as deeply alarming.
Israel has taken the extraordinary step of mobilizing 300,000 reservists and has imposed a blockade on fuel and food to Gaza. However, experts warn that a ground offensive in one of the world’s most densely populated areas could come at a significant cost.
UN agencies have been working tirelessly since the recent outbreak of hostilities initiated by Hamas’ attack on Israel, resulting in extensive Israeli airstrikes and a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip. The toll in terms of casualties is severe, with hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians killed or injured.
Homes, healthcare facilities, and schools housing displaced families have also been hit in the conflict. Griffiths stressed the importance of upholding the laws of war, treating captives humanely, and promptly releasing hostages. He emphasized the need to protect civilians and vital infrastructure and called for the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid and services to Gaza.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has initiated an operation to provide essential food assistance to over 800,000 people in Gaza and the West Bank. WFP is urging the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow aid and humanitarian assistance into Gaza, along with safe passage for its staff and essential supplies.
The situation is dire, with over two million people in Gaza, and at least 200,000 have been displaced, many of whom are seeking refuge in UNRWA-run schools. UNRWA requires access and funding to address this critical situation.
UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Lynn Hastings, highlighted that Gaza’s water supply has been cut off by Israel, compounding existing scarcity issues. Access to electricity, food, and fuel has also been severely restricted, exacerbating the dire humanitarian circumstances resulting from over 15 years of blockade. The limited availability of electricity, only four hours a day, hampers the ability of healthcare facilities to operate effectively and treat the injured.
The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working diligently to meet the urgent needs, especially for shelter, amid hazardous conditions. However, access for humanitarian personnel and supplies into Gaza has been compromised, and the intensity of the hostilities is impeding aid delivery.