The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) declared Gaza's situation the worst since the Israel-Hamas war began in October 2023, citing widespread malnutrition, displacement, and looting of critical supplies. Only five aid trucks entered Gaza on Thursday—the first delivery in four days—while 60 others were forced to retreat due to hostilities near the Kerem Shalom crossing.
Aid System 'Crippled' by Blockade
OCHA stressed that current aid levels are insufficient for 2.1 million people, with medical supplies for Deir Al-Balah's field hospital largely looted by armed groups. Al Awda Hospital, Gaza's last partially functional health facility, evacuated after repeated strikes. Attacks in Deir al-Balah and refugee camps have killed civilians, including nine family members of a journalist.
Displacement and Public Order Breakdown
Nearly 200,000 Gazans fled their homes in two weeks, driven by Israeli evacuation orders and desperate searches for food. OCHA reported armed groups looting medical warehouses, stealing supplies meant for malnourished children. The agency urged Israel, as the occupying power, to prioritize restoring safety and allowing civilian police operations.
West Bank Tensions Escalate
OCHA also highlighted rising settler violence in the West Bank, with 220 Palestinians injured this year—the highest rate in two decades. A Bedouin community of 120 was displaced near Salfit, where Israeli movement restrictions disrupt access to healthcare and education for 90,000 residents.
Calls for Immediate Action
'The blockade must be fully lifted,' OCHA stated, emphasizing the need for multi-entry aid routes and accountability for looters. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' spokesperson stressed: 'Civilians, including aid workers, must always be protected.'
