The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has reported that no humanitarian aid has entered Gaza since the beginning of March, marking the longest disruption in deliveries since October 2023. This alarming development comes as Israeli bombardment intensifies, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.  

During a UN press briefing in Geneva on Friday, Sam Rose, UNRWA’s deputy director of operations in Gaza, highlighted the devastating impact of the recent escalation. He stated that heavy Israeli airstrikes have killed numerous civilians and forced widespread displacement, with ongoing evacuation orders further destabilizing the region. Essential services have been severely disrupted, making it increasingly difficult for civilians to access aid distribution centers and medical facilities.  

Rose warned that the humanitarian situation has sharply deteriorated, erasing the progress made during the six-week ceasefire that ended in early March. He emphasized that without a renewed truce, further civilian casualties are inevitable. The ongoing war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, displaced large portions of the population, and heightened the risk of disease outbreaks. Additionally, the psychological trauma inflicted on Gaza’s two million residents, including one million children, continues to deepen.  

During the ceasefire, UNRWA was able to deliver more aid than in the previous six months, providing a brief respite for Gaza’s beleaguered population. However, Rose noted that the situation has once again taken a drastic turn for the worse.  

Despite the holy month of Ramadan, Israeli forces launched new attacks in Gaza early Tuesday, effectively ending the 75-day ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement. Tel Aviv later announced the start of a ground offensive, further escalating the violence. Israeli airstrikes have intensified, killing at least 640 people and injuring 1,180 others, with women, children, and the elderly accounting for 70% of the casualties.  

As Israeli attacks continue, Gaza faces an increasingly dire humanitarian crisis. Despite mounting international appeals, Israeli authorities have maintained strict restrictions on aid deliveries, leaving Gaza’s population without access to essential supplies. The international community is now urging immediate action to halt the violence and ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid to prevent further loss of life and suffering in Gaza.