The situation on the ground in Gaza has reached an alarming humanitarian crisis. Prior to the crisis, Gaza was already dependent on humanitarian and commercial imports. These exemptions were vital for people’s access to food and other emergency or essential supplies. Currently, shortages of food, medical supplies, fuel, and other basic needs have peaked, pushing the population to the brink.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) came into full operation on the ground in the enclave on May 27th. Their mission is to meet the increasing humanitarian needs of the region. Humanitarian organizations cannot help displaced civilians, as these groups are facing starvation due to Israel’s crippling aid blockade. The Palestinian health ministry said that ten people just in the past 24 hours have starved to death. This shocking statistic demonstrates the dire call for direct response now.
The Israeli government continues to impose a blockade on Gaza, starving the region of critical food provisions. Food stockpiled at border crossings to stave off starvation for a third of the country for two months. Getting all that food out to people is the biggest logistical hurdle. Humanitarian organizations report that “around the world, we see an utter disregard for, if not (an) outright violation of, international law,” as articulated by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
“Famine is knocking on the door,” said Scott Paul, director of peace and security at Oxfam. He explained the alarming state of families living in Gaza. He continued, “People are eating one inadequate and unbalanced meal per day to stay alive.” In perhaps the most egregious example, people are literally starving.
To address the humanitarian crisis, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff will go to Europe.
Call for a Ceasefire
He seeks to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and will be following up these discussions in Doha, Qatar. The now-months-long war has only worsened an already dire crisis.
Isra el’s military operations have escalated as well, most notably in areas like Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where massive strikes have left ghastly destruction. Tens of thousands of tons of food and medical aid are stuck at border crossings. U.N. aid organizations are having a difficult time operating within Gaza due to Hamas government regulations.
Even the United Nations has echoed alarm over the emerging humanitarian disaster. Guterres highlighted the unprecedented scale of death and destruction now unfolding in Gaza. “Malnourishment is at an all-time high… Death by hunger is at every doorstep,” he said. The humanitarian system is meant to address the crises that emerge, and it hasn’t failed. Instead, additional below-the-radar restrictions have kept it from being able to do its job.
No one spoke more forcefully than medical director general of the health ministry, Dr. Munir al-Boursh. He stressed that the increasing toll of hunger and malnutrition is occurring at an extremely fast and alarming rate. These aren’t merely statistics. They represent cries for help, a heartbreaking human plea to the world to listen and act while we still can.
Pressure from the international community is increasing to address the situation. Calls for the resumption of opening land crossings and restoration of aid flows are climbing quickly. Now, activists and humanitarian leaders are calling for the immediate lifting of the siege, which continues. They’re demanding an immediate humanitarian ceasefire to allow urgently needed aid to reach all those in distress, particularly in Gaza.
