The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a stark warning about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where no aid has entered the enclave since the start of March due to an Israeli-imposed blockade. This marks the longest period without assistance since October 2023, leaving over two million Palestinians, including one million children, facing starvation, disease, and relentless violence.  

Wissam Rose, Deputy Director of UNRWA Operations in Gaza, delivered a grim assessment during a press conference in Geneva, highlighting the devastating impact of Israel’s renewed military offensive. “The progress made during the six-week ceasefire has been completely reversed,” Rose stated. “If the ceasefire is not restored, we will see massive loss of life, widespread destruction, and a surge in infectious diseases, alongside unimaginable psychological trauma for Gaza’s civilian population.”  

Since Israel resumed its bombardment last week, at least 600 Palestinians have been killed, including 200 women and children, with over 1,000 others injured. Hospitals, already overwhelmed and under-resourced, are struggling to cope with the influx of casualties. Meanwhile, Israeli evacuation orders have forced tens of thousands of Palestinians to flee their homes, further destabilizing communities already on the brink of survival.  

The blockade has crippled Gaza’s infrastructure, cutting off access to fuel, clean water, and electricity. Sanitation systems have collapsed, and food supplies are running dangerously low. Rose noted that the six-week ceasefire had allowed UNRWA to deliver more aid than in the previous six months combined, but the resumption of hostilities has undone all progress. “The situation is now worse than before,” he said.  

The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that 70% of the victims of Israel’s latest offensive are children, women, and the elderly. With medical facilities overwhelmed and aid unable to enter, the risk of famine and disease looms large. Rose called for urgent international intervention to restore the ceasefire and ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid. “The world must act decisively to protect the most vulnerable and uphold international humanitarian law,” he urged.  

As Gaza’s civilian population endures unimaginable suffering, the international community’s failure to hold Israel accountable for its actions risks perpetuating a cycle of violence and despair. Without immediate action, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza will only deepen, leaving an indelible scar on generations to come.