Gaza Crisis Deepens as Aid Falls Short and Crossings Close
The situation in Gaza is dire, with aid falling short of needs and people's access to essentials being blocked. Over a million have been displaced since March, with 200,000 in just the past month. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that the last remaining lifelines for civilians in Gaza City are collapsing.
Humanitarians have been working tirelessly, collecting over 12,500 metric tonnes of aid and serving nearly 560,000 meals daily through 116 kitchens. UNICEF has dispatched over 200,000 packs of baby food and 10,000 boxes of high-energy biscuits. However, the Zikim crossing, the only one directly from Israel to the north, has been shut down, exacerbating the famine situation.
The UN High Commissioner present in Gaza is advocating for the release of foreign journalists to counter disinformation. UNRWA Commissioner-General Phillipe Lazzarini has also called for international media access to support Palestinian journalists. Despite these efforts, opportunities to support starving people are being systematically blocked.
With over 11,000 people displaced and emergency shelters damaged, the need for urgent humanitarian access is clear. The international community must press for the opening of crossings and the release of journalists to ensure the truth reaches the world.
