The US has given Israel a 30-day ultimatum to improve humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where aid efforts have largely stalled. Children in Deir al Balah face severe food shortages, while families like that of Itimad Al Qanou struggle with the psychological toll of the crisis. Despite some initiatives by Israel, including a new border crossing, significant logistical challenges and rampant looting hinder aid distribution, exacerbating the dire situation for residents.
US Urges Israel to Address Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The United States government has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Israel, pressing for improvements in the humanitarian conditions within the Gaza Strip. While Israel has initiated some actions, experts agree that more robust measures are still essential.
Desperate Need for Aid in Gaza
Last weekend in Deir al Balah, located in central Gaza, children gathered with empty pots and plastic containers, anxiously awaiting food distribution. They stood in line for a serving of lentil soup from a large pot, a stark reminder of the ongoing crisis.
Itimad Al Qanou, who recently arrived with her children after fleeing the Jabaliya refugee camp due to an extended Israeli military operation targeting Hamas, shared her plight with Reuters. “Every morning is filled with dread. We wish for night to come so we can escape reality, avoiding thoughts of what we will eat or drink,” she lamented.
She described their existence as a “slow death,” with diminishing food supplies affecting her children’s health more each day. “Even the little food we get is hardly enough to sustain them,” she added.
With the humanitarian situation worsening, the US government has expressed deep concern over the conditions faced by residents in Gaza.
In northern Gaza, particularly in Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahiya, and Jabalya, the flow of aid has nearly halted in recent weeks. Reports from international aid organizations indicate that despite US demands for a daily delivery of at least 350 truckloads of aid, the situation has deteriorated further compared to a month ago.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported earlier this week that since the latest military offensive began on October 6, Israeli authorities have not permitted humanitarian transport into Jabalya, Beit Hanoun, and Beit Lahiya. Out of 33 requests for access to these crucial areas, 27 were denied, and six faced obstruction.
During a briefing by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), emergency coordinator Louise Wateridge highlighted the dire circumstances, stating, “A famine is looming in the besieged north, if it hasn’t already begun. Despite the pleas for basic necessities, the United Nations has been denied access to these areas, severely limiting our ability to assist.”
As the conflict escalates, more than 50 individuals have lost their lives due to Israeli airstrikes in Gaza and Lebanon.
In response to the humanitarian crisis, the Israeli security cabinet announced three days ago a plan to boost aid deliveries to Gaza. Additionally, they opened another border crossing at Kissufim, fulfilling a request from the Biden administration.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed optimism about reaching an agreement with the US, stating, “We are committed to overcoming any obstacles to our humanitarian efforts, and I believe we are making substantial progress.”
Looking ahead, UNRWA faces the challenge of ceasing operations in Israel by 2025, prompting questions about the future of humanitarian assistance in the region.
However, the logistical challenges of aid distribution persist. COGAT, the Israeli coordination office for government activities in the Palestinian territories, reported that while 50 trucks per day have crossed through the Erez border, an additional 117 trucks are entering Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing as of this week. Nevertheless, 700 truckloads of aid remain in warehouses, hindered by looting during distribution.
Criminal gangs have been intercepting numerous truckloads of aid in the southern region, reportedly hoarding goods and coercing traders to pay taxes. This rampant looting complicates the already dire situation, making it increasingly difficult for those in need to receive vital assistance.