Palestinian children are seen near tents for displaced people in west of Gaza City UN agency says humanitarian conditions "dire" in Gaza as aid restrictions continue
Image: Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua
The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is reaching alarming proportions, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) highlighting the dire conditions faced by the population as aid access restrictions continue to hinder relief efforts.
In a press statement issued on Thursday, UNRWA reported that despite its ongoing operations to provide essential services, including healthcare, education, shelter, and food assistance, the scale of needs far exceeds the agency's capacity under current restrictions.
"Humanitarian conditions remain dire, along with constraints on humanitarian access," stated the agency, urging for an immediate lifting of restrictions.
As Ramadan approaches, fears of a deepening health crisis have emerged.
Bassam Zaqout, director of medical relief in Gaza, described the health sector's state as being in "deadly paralysis."
Zaqout conveyed these sentiments during an interview with Voice of Palestine radio, emphasising that hospitals are on the brink of collapse due to acute fuel shortages and a lack of spare parts for critical equipment like generators. He painted a grim picture, stating, "The current ceasefire is illusory," as ongoing violence continues to claim lives and further strain existing medical facilities.
According to Zaqout, residents are grappling with extreme exhaustion stemming from severe water and food shortages. He condemned Israeli policies that have commodified humanitarian aid, resulting in exorbitant prices that render essential goods unaffordable to 80% of Gaza's population. These words encapsulate the immense suffering of the residents, underscoring the pressing need for intervention and support.
On the Israeli side, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories announced that between February 8 and 14, 4,200 humanitarian aid trucks entered Gaza, bringing with them food, medical supplies, and shelter equipment. These deliveries were reportedly prioritised by international organisations amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, Gaza’s health authorities reported a tragic escalation in violence, with two more Palestinians killed within the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll since the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect on 10 October 2025, to 611, alongside 1,630 injuries.
Since the onset of military operations on October 7, 2023, the cumulative casualty toll has reached a staggering 72,069 deaths and 171,728 injuries in the besieged territory.
The situation in Gaza remains critical, calling for urgent attention and action from the international community to alleviate the plight of its residents. As conflicts continue to disrupt daily life and essential services are curtailed, the voices of those suffering amid the chaos grow louder, insisting on immediate relief and a change in the current realities of life in the Gaza Strip.
Xinhua