UNITED NATIONS: United Nations humanitarian agencies have issued a grave warning about the humanitarian situation in war-torn Gaza, describing the level of assistance for many residents as “almost catastrophic.” The UN aid coordination office, OCHA, reported ongoing intense Israeli bombardment and rocket fire into Israel by Palestinian armed groups.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) highlighted the nearly impossible conditions for aid distribution, particularly beyond Rafah in the south of the enclave, where over one million people are sheltering in dangerously overcrowded conditions. WFP Communications head for the Middle East and North Africa, Abeer Atefa, emphasized the urgent need for greater access to provide aid, describing assistance beyond Rafah as “almost catastrophic.”
OCHA reported that of the planned 29 missions in the first two weeks of the year, only one in four succeeded in delivering lifesaving supplies north of Wadi Gaza. Israeli authorities denied the rest, hampering humanitarian efforts. Two coordinated missions with Israeli authorities also faced challenges due to non-viable routes and excessive delays at checkpoints.
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The total number of Palestinians confirmed killed since the conflict erupted has surpassed 24,400, mostly women and children. Water infrastructure has been devastated, leaving only one of the three pipelines from Israel into Gaza functioning.
OCHA stressed the need for repair in the Deir al Balah water pipeline, emphasizing that the situation could lead to a prolonged humanitarian crisis, including water shortages and the spread of diseases.
The UNICEF deputy chief, Ted Chaiban, recently visited Gaza and described witnessing “some of the most horrific conditions” he had ever seen. He emphasized the urgent need for a humanitarian ceasefire, particularly for the children in Gaza, stressing that the killing of children must cease immediately.
