The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, where Israeli military operations and a blockade on aid have left civilians in desperate need. In a statement on Tuesday, OCHA highlighted the urgent need to protect civilians and ensure the delivery of life-saving assistance.

Efforts to provide humanitarian aid have been repeatedly obstructed, with Israeli forces denying UN missions access to northern Gaza hospitals, including Al-Awda and the Indonesian hospitals. These missions aimed to evacuate critically ill patients and deliver essential supplies such as food, water, and fuel.

Al-Awda Hospital, the only partially functioning medical facility in the region, is struggling to operate amid severe shortages of fuel and medical supplies. The blockade has made it nearly impossible for aid organisations to reach the hospital, leaving patients and staff in increasingly dire conditions. Meanwhile, the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia remains non-operational due to extensive damage and a lack of resources.

Dr. Marwan Sultan, medical director of the Indonesian Hospital, described the conditions as catastrophic following a recent attack that destroyed vital infrastructure, including power generators and oxygen stations. He noted that a doctor was severely injured while attempting to flee the facility during continued airstrikes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an urgent appeal for a cessation of hostilities targeting healthcare facilities and for the immediate restoration of humanitarian access. WHO reported that damaged roads and ongoing bombardments have rendered northern Gaza unsafe for relief operations, further endangering civilians and healthcare providers.

OCHA and WHO have called for international action to ensure the protection of medical facilities and the delivery of vital aid. Without immediate intervention, the humanitarian crisis in northern Gaza is expected to worsen, with hospitals facing the imminent risk of collapse.