Gaza's humanitarian crisis deepens as war rages on

As the world marks World Humanitarian Day on Monday, the ongoing war in Gaza casts a long, dark shadow over the global observance.

The conflict, which broke out after Palestinian group Hamas launched an attack on Israel on October 7, has escalated into one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history, with the death toll surpassing 40,000 and nearly 85 percent of the 2.3 million people living in Gaza having been displaced. The majority of these victims are women and children, who have borne the brunt of relentless Israeli airstrikes and ground operations.

Humanitarian efforts under siege

International humanitarian organizations have been working tirelessly to alleviate the suffering in the Palestinian enclave, but their efforts are consistently hampered.

In recent reports, aid delivery to Gaza still faced severe challenges, with key entry points blocked due to ongoing hostilities. Humanitarian convoys, including those from the UN, have been repeatedly targeted, resulting in significant delays. Under Israel's relentless bombing campaign, more than 270 humanitarian workers have been killed while attempting to deliver aid under dangerous conditions.

"No goods are crossing into Gaza via Kerem Shalom because the unloading zone at Kerem Shalom has been full for weeks. Collection from the zone is not possible due to high insecurity, lawlessness, and bombardments in the zones under Israeli military operation, which surround this vital crossing point. This has resulted in the closure of Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza in all but name," according to Mercy Corps, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) operating in Gaza.

The destruction of medical facilities, schools, and critical infrastructure has also made it nearly impossible to deliver aid effectively. Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), highlighted the dire situation, noting that even necessities like clean drinking water are scarce, forcing many to rely on unsafe sources.

Despite the challenges, UNRWA has managed to restore some vital services, such as a water pumping station in Khan Younis, which now provides clean water to approximately 100,000 displaced people. However, these efforts are but a drop in the ocean compared to the overwhelming needs of the population.

Children: the forgotten victims

The war has been particularly devastating for children, with over 16,000 of them having been killed since the conflict began.

The psychological toll on the survivors is immense. Reports show the constant exposure to violence, fear, and loss has led to widespread trauma, manifesting in symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The situation has been described as causing "complete psychological destruction" for the children, leaving them in a state of profound mental distress with long-term implications for their well-being.

In a June estimate by Save the Children, an NGO, about 21,000 children were missing in Gaza, including 17,000 unaccompanied and separated children and 4,000 children buried under the rubble. Many of those orphaned are now living in overcrowded shelters, facing the constant threat of disease and malnutrition.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell has emphasized the urgent need for psychological support and educational resources to help these children rebuild their lives.

"The scale of suffering among Gaza's children is unimaginable," Russell said, calling for immediate international action to protect these vulnerable young lives.

International Response

The international community has pledged billions in humanitarian aid, but the response has been criticized as inadequate given the scale of the crisis. As of August 13, only about 47 percent of the $3.42 billion the UN has requested to fund humanitarian projects in Gaza and the West Bank have been covered, leaving a significant funding gap, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The U.S., Israel's closest ally, has announced $774 million in humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in the occupied territories since October 7, but that pales in comparison to the $6.5 billion worth of military assistance it has sent to Israel.

The "unimaginable" plight in Gaza "is overwhelmingly due to recurring failures by the Israeli Defense Forces to comply with the rules of war," Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.

Türk has called the ongoing violence "unconscionable" and urged for an immediate ceasefire.

However, despite intense diplomatic efforts by mediators, ceasefire talks have failed repeatedly since a brief truce ended in November. In the meantime, the situation on the ground remains dire, with aid deliveries being frequently disrupted and many areas in Gaza remaining inaccessible due to ongoing military operations. The UN has persistently called for the establishment of humanitarian corridors to allow for the safe passage of aid and civilians, but these calls have largely gone unheeded.

Gaza's humanitarian crisis is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of war on civilians, particularly women and children. As the death toll continues to rise and the humanitarian needs grow more urgent, the international community's response will be critical in determining the future of Gaza's people. The situation calls for immediate and concerted efforts to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that humanitarian aid can reach those who desperately need it.