The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical juncture as the Israeli military enforces an uninterrupted blockade that has persisted for over six weeks. This extreme measure is the longest since hostilities escalated on October 7, 2023, and has plunged the territory into one of its most severe crises in recent history. With around 2.4 million Palestinians trapped, access to food, clean water, and medical supplies has become increasingly scarce.

Residents describe a landscape of desperation. In Jabalia refugee camp, Adam Hajjo struggles to provide for his family after exhausting their flour supply. Distributions from UNRWA have ceased, leaving families to fend for themselves amid soaring prices. Once accessible at approximately £4, flour now costs close to £64, reflecting the rampant inflation and market shortages that have gripped the area.

Despite international efforts to broker a ceasefire, including support from Egypt and Qatar, the situation has only worsened. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s refusal to proceed with further negotiations has intensified the plight of ordinary Palestinians, who continue to bear the brunt of these political decisions.

UN officials have confirmed that stocks of essential supplies have been depleted, with warnings echoing of an impending famine. Families are reportedly surviving on meagre rations—often just one meal a day—as the blockade tightens further. The lack of humanitarian access raises profound questions about the use of starvation as a tactic in warfare.

As the crisis unfolds, humanitarian organisations have sounded alarms, indicating that over half of Gaza’s population faces the threat of starvation if the blockade continues. Legal observers have documented numerous instances of aid being obstructed, highlighting the dire need for immediate and unfettered access to food and medical assistance.

The international community watches as the situation deteriorates, yet the voices of those in Gaza are often drowned out by political rhetoric. The resilience of the Palestinian people in the face of adversity remains strong, but the urgent need for solidarity and support has never been more pressing.