Impact of the Israeli offensive on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is worsening following Israel’s recent ground offensive in the city of Rafah. The reduction in aid and fuel deliveries to the Palestinian territory is having a devastating impact. The UN has suspended food distribution in Rafah due to supply shortages and insecurity, while delivery operations from the new US-funded floating dock were also halted following an incident in which desperate people seized most of the shipment unloaded onto trucks, resulting in the tragic death of one person.
Humanitarian aid shortage
Since Israel took control of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, through which most aid to Gaza flows, deliveries have slowed sharply. The UN estimates that 1.1 million people in the strip, almost half the population, face catastrophic levels of hunger. The lack of supplies is pushing the territory to the brink of famine, putting global pressure on Israel to allow more supplies into the besieged coastal enclave.
Challenges in aid distribution
The distribution of humanitarian aid faces significant obstacles. Through the recent Erez crossing between Gaza and Israel, only about 50 aid trucks a day can reach the most needy areas in northern Gaza, well below the 600-a-day threshold that aid agencies consider necessary. This situation has generated a call for attention from the UN humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, who has urged a significant increase in deliveries to avoid an imminent humanitarian catastrophe.
Political repercussions
In addition to the humanitarian crisis, the recent Israeli offensive has generated political tensions. The recognition of Palestine as a state by some European countries has provoked the indignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has described this measure as a ‘prize for terrorism’. These political tensions further complicate the situation in the region, increasing the urgency of finding diplomatic solutions to address both the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing political tensions.
