Israel’s intense blockade of Gaza has now extended into its 60th day, coinciding with ongoing hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, where vital discussions regarding Israel’s humanitarian obligations to Palestinians are taking place. This situation arises in the wake of Israel’s renewed military operations, which have resulted in significant loss of life and exacerbated humanitarian crises within the region.
Since March 2, 2023, the Gaza Strip has faced a complete lack of food, water, and medical supplies, a dire situation that escalated following the resumption of hostilities on March 18. Tragically, over 52,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since October 7, escalating concerns from international bodies. The United Nations has expressed grave concerns about what it describes as “full-scale famine conditions” in Gaza, urging for decisive action to avert this humanitarian catastrophe.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has reported a total shutdown of its bakeries within the region, highlighting the critical depletion of food stocks. A report from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicates that forced displacement has compelled many families to abandon vital food supplies that were once stored during a prior ceasefire period.
Acute shortages of essential cooking fuels, combined with skyrocketing prices of wheat flour, have left many families unable to prepare meals. The agricultural community is significantly hindered, with 70 percent of Gaza designated as “no-go” areas, obstructing farmers and livestock breeders from accessing their land. As a result, reliance on external aid has intensified and soup kitchens have warned they may be forced to cease operations if humanitarian supplies do not flow in soon.
In this crisis, families have been driven to consume whatever they can find, even items potentially unsafe for consumption, according to UNRWA. Simultaneously, aid trucks remain stationary at border crossings, awaiting clearance to deliver critical supplies. With prices within Gaza soaring by over 500%, NGOs such as Mercy Corps emphasize the urgent need for the reopening of borders to prevent the collapse of food systems in the territory.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system is currently evaluating the dire food scarcity and rising malnutrition levels in Gaza, marking the beginning of a week-long assessment involving over fifty expert analysts from various UN agencies. Previous IPC warnings had already indicated that the region might be on the brink of famine.
Hospitals in Gaza are coping with an influx of patients, revealing a severe shortage of medical supplies. Health professionals report an alarming increase in deaths due to unavailability of even basic medications.
During these hearings, the United States has articulated its firm support for Israel, contending that it need not engage with UNRWA, citing its national security interests. The ICJ is actively considering what obligations Israel holds in facilitating essential humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank — following a request from the UN General Assembly for an advisory opinion regarding these humanitarian matters.
As the international community watches closely, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to call for urgent attention and intervention.
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