GENEVA: The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has reached a dire and unprecedented point, according to the United Nations as hospitals are struggling due to a lack of fuel, water, medical supplies, and personnel.
The situation is exacerbated by the severe rationing of fuel for critical facilities. Despite the UN’s possession of 400,000 liters of fuel, it has been waiting for days to deliver it to Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing. Israel has not yet provided the necessary security guarantees for the fuel delivery, citing concerns about potential military use by Hamas.
Food shortages are also a pressing issue. The World Food Program estimates that current essential food supplies in Gaza will last for only about 12 days. In shops, available stock is expected to run out in just five days. The water situation is equally dire, with many people resorting to drinking well water, which is high in salt and poses health risks.
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The Gaza Strip, home to approximately 2.2 million people, has witnessed over 1.4 million individuals being displaced following hostilities that erupted after a terror attack by Hamas on Israeli towns and cities on October 7. Subsequently, Israel has launched military operations targeting Hamas in Gaza and imposed a blockade on the territory.
Efforts to secure a Security Council resolution for humanitarian relief have faced numerous obstacles. For the second time in a week, the Security Council failed to adopt a resolution that called for a halt to hostilities to facilitate aid deliveries. Last week, two separate attempts to pass a resolution were unsuccessful, with one vetoed by the United States. On Wednesday, divisions persisted within the council, with Russia and China vetoing a U.S.-drafted resolution. Russia’s alternative draft also failed to gain sufficient support. The General Assembly will discuss the matter in a special emergency session.
Meanwhile, Israel has voiced strong objections to remarks made by the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. Guterres acknowledged the suffering of the Palestinian people due to decades of occupation but also condemned Hamas’ terror attack. Israel’s foreign minister canceled a meeting with Guterres and called for his resignation, further straining relations with the UN.
As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, international diplomatic efforts continue, seeking a resolution to provide immediate aid to Gaza and address the dire situation faced by its residents.
