DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — In a troubling report, aid organizations are sounding the alarm over **Israel’s comprehensive food blockade** affecting the **war-torn Gaza Strip**. The blockade, which has persisted for over six weeks, is pushing thousands of **children into malnutrition**. With the United Nations estimating that most people are barely scraping by on **one meal a day**, the humanitarian crisis is escalating rapidly.
As violence continues, Israeli airstrikes overnight resulted in **the loss of at least 27 lives**, among them **six women and 15 children**. This tragic reality underscores the dire need for interventions as the food and aid supply system in Gaza is on the brink of **total collapse**. The leaders of 12 independent humanitarian organizations have issued a joint statement briefing on the catastrophic conditions faced by civilians.
Impact of Renewed Violence
The situation on the ground is dire. A strike in the southern city of Khan Younis killed an entire family of ten, including **five children**. Additionally, strikes in northern Gaza have decimated families and caused destruction in schools that were sheltering displaced individuals. In Jabaliya, a provision shelter was struck, burying walls and rubble under a plume of dust, scattering emergency supplies and making safe havens even less secure. The **Israeli military** claims its operations target Hamas militants, yet the heavy toll of **civilian casualties** has provoked outrage and despair.
Survival on Charity
According to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), nearly all of the **2 million residents of Gaza** now depend on charity kitchens, which can barely produce **1 million meals a day**. These meals consist primarily of **rice and pasta**, with **fresh produce** and meat becoming almost non-existent. Meanwhile, inflation in the markets is leading to increased prices and fewer available options, leaving about **80% of the population** reliant on humanitarian aid.
Bushra Khalil, policy head at Oxfam, reports, **“Kids are eating less than a meal a day and struggling to find their next meal. Everyone is purely eating canned food. Malnutrition and pockets of famine are definitely occurring in Gaza.”** This grim assessment is compounded by deteriorating water access, forcing families to queue for hours to fill their containers with dwindling supplies.
Growing Crisis of Malnutrition
The humanitarian crisis is worsening, with reports indicating an alarming surge in malnourished children. In March alone, over **3,600 children** were admitted for treatment, a dramatic increase from the previous month. Aid efforts are hampered by **Israeli airstrikes**, making it increasingly difficult to reach those in need. Only **22,300 children** under the age of five received nutrient supplements in March, marking a severe reduction in support.
Amande Bazerolle from Doctors Without Borders lamented the dire situation, stating, **“Humanitarians have been forced to watch people suffer and die while carrying the impossible burden of providing relief with depleted supplies.”** She underscored that this crisis isn’t merely a humanitarian failure but a **political choice** with catastrophic consequences for the population.
Risks Faced by Aid Workers
The increased danger from the ongoing conflict is severely curtailing aid operations. A recent survey revealed that **95% of 47 aid organizations** have either reduced or entirely suspended operations due to the escalating violence. Notably, **Israel’s military** has ceased coordinating with humanitarian groups, exposing aid workers to grave risks. Reports indicate that at least **14 organizations** have faced attacks, resulting in **60 aid worker fatalities**.
The heads of humanitarian organizations expressed their outrage, stating, **“When our staff and partners, our convoys, our offices, our warehouses are shelled, the message is loud and clear: Even lifesaving aid is no longer protected.”** Such remarks resonate with the stark reality that the implications of war are tearing at the very fabric of **humanitarian support**.
Israel’s Justification for the Blockade
Israeli Defense Minister **Israel Katz** characterized the blockade as a crucial strategy against Hamas, accusing the group of misappropriating aid meant for civilians. However, humanitarian organizations assert that the **United Nations** rigorously monitors aid distribution, countering claims of significant diversion.
Efforts by Hamas to secure freedom for hostages in exchange for humanitarian concessions further complicate the situation. Currently, Hamas holds **59 hostages**, and negotiative standoffs limit opportunities for ceasefire discussions. The ongoing war, ignited by a Hamas attack on **October 7, 2023**, has led to widespread devastation, bereaving **thousands of Palestinian lives** and displacing a staggering *90% of the population*. As **Khaled and Keath** report, the outlook remains grim, with little relief in sight.
As we navigate through this humanitarian crisis, it is vital to remain informed and active in conversations surrounding the ongoing situation in Gaza. **To follow updated reports**, click here: https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.
