The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to escalate, with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) saying Israeli has killed 629 Palestinians in the last week in the embattled region.
In a statement, OHCHR said at least 358 of the 629 Palestinians killed lost their lives in attacks on houses and tents for displaced people, with children and women comprising at least 148 of the victims. “The high number of strikes on shelters, in the context of the existing destruction of infrastructure in Gaza, raises grave concerns that not all strikes were targeting military objectives,” it said, rebuffing Israeli claims it is only targeting “terrorists.”
Last week also saw the killing of nine Palestinian journalists, making it one of the deadliest for the profession since the conflict began in October 2023.
In the past 24 hours alone, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, nearly 100 fatalities occurred due to intensified Israeli airstrikes. Since the resumption of hostilities in March, over 2,300 Palestinians have been killed, contributing to a total of more than 52,400 deaths and 118,000 injuries since October 2023, predominantly among women and children.
Starvation Sets In
The crisis is further compounded by a sharp increase in starvation-related deaths triggered by Israeli blocking humanitarian aid from entering the Gaza Strip. Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan said 29 children and elderly individuals had recently died due to starvation, with thousands more at risk. Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, head of the pediatrics unit at Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza, said 26 children had died from starvation-related complications in his facility alone.
The deepening crisis has led to many countries, including those previously sympathetic to Israel, voicing concern over the unabated military operations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has urged Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian access to Gaza, warning of a looming famine. Similarly, U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has suspended trade talks with Israel and condemned the blockade as a form of collective punishment. Ireland’s Tánaiste Simon Harris accused Israel of engaging in “genocidal activity” aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians, calling for E.U. sanctions and a suspension of the E.U.-Israel Association Agreement.
Aid Resumption
After a 12-week blockade, humanitarian aid has begun to trickle into Gaza. Since Monday, 198 aid trucks have crossed the border, but only 90 have reached distribution points due to logistical challenges and Israeli-imposed restrictions. The limited aid includes flour, baby food, and medicines, allowing some bakeries to resume operations. However, organizations like the U.N. and Médecins Sans Frontières warn that the assistance is insufficient given the scale of the crisis.
In a bid to manage distribution, the United States has launched the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Backed by over $100 million and supported by Israel, the GHF plans to operate secure distribution sites with U.S. firms handling logistics and security. However, the United Nations has declined to participate, citing concerns over the plan’s neutrality and potential to promote displacement.
Aid delivery faces numerous obstacles. Fuel shortages have led to the closure of several bakeries, and the lack of cooking gas has severely impacted food preparation. With the situation continuing to deteriorate, the international community faces mounting pressure to facilitate a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of essential humanitarian aid. The coming days will be critical in determining the region’s trajectory and the well-being of its civilian population.