The situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with the municipality of Gaza City warning of “extreme thirst” after the shutdown of its main desalination plant in the north due to Israel’s total fuel blockade. This development has further exacerbated the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
The World Food Programme has sounded the alarm, stating that Palestinians throughout Gaza are facing severe food shortages, with many going without food for days and experiencing soaring malnutrition rates that are reaching unprecedented levels since the escalation of the conflicts and Israeli relentless bombardment of the strip.
According to the World Food Programme, the malnutrition levels in Gaza are “getting to levels we’ve never seen ever before”. This alarming trend is a direct result of the ongoing Israeli blockade, which has severely restricted the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza. The blockade has also led to a significant shortage of essential supplies, including food, water, and medicine.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been further compounded by the ongoing violence. At least 56 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, a day after 115 Palestinians, including 79 aid seekers at the Zikim crossing and 13 others at GHF-run sites, were killed. The Israeli military has continued to pound Gaza, resulting in a significant loss of life and widespread destruction. The war on Gaza has killed at least 59,029 people and wounded 142,135, according to reports.
The October 7, 2023 attacks resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,139 people in Israel and the capture of more than 200 individuals. The conflict has had a devastating impact on civilians in both Gaza and Israel, with many families left without access to basic necessities like food, water, and shelter. The international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and its impact on innocent lives.