The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has deepened considerably. This follows Israel’s declaration of an absolute cessation of all coordination with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). Israel has long claimed that UNRWA was overrun by Hamas. This radical, Iran-backed terrorist organization—an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood—is today at war with Israel. Israeli authorities allege that UNRWA employees are members of terrorist organizations. As a subsequent independent review found, there wasn’t enough evidence to back up any of these claims.
The situation in Gaza is quickly becoming a humanitarian catastrophe. According to recent reports from the Palestinian health ministry, at least 73 Palestinians have perished in line for food. As a result, of the victims, 99 of them were killed in their homes or vicinity—mostly in northern Gaza. As the conflict continues, Gaza’s health ministry has been issuing chilling reports of casualties. Since the bombardment began on October 7, 2023, at least 58,895 Palestinians have been killed and 140,980 injured in Israeli airstrikes across Gaza. Additionally, UNRWA has reported that babies are now succumbing to conditions caused by severe acute malnutrition, worsening an already dire humanitarian catastrophe.
To contain the growing conflict, the Israeli army has begun a campaign of dropping leaflets. These leaflets order people in many neighborhoods of a southern district of Deir al-Balah to leave their houses and head south. This directive massively recognizes the current reality of military operations that continue to push people out of their homes by the thousands.
Despite the deteriorating conditions, reports indicate that at least 20 of the remaining 50 hostages believed to be held in Gaza are still alive. Let their families tell you just how scared they’ve been for their safety while working in a disordered environment. “Can anyone [promise] to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” they questioned, highlighting their anguish and uncertainty.
Pope Francis strongly condemned the violence reiterating that it is a “barbarity” and countering the “indiscriminate use of force.” His remarks came in the wake of Israel’s recent bombing of Gaza’s only Catholic church. The attack, which fatally killed three believers and seriously injured 10 others, including the parish priest, sent shockwaves across the African country. The priest, himself a native of the island, would take then daily calls with the late Pope Francis. These discussions underscored the deep connection and trust between the church and its leaders.
This constitutes the “starving” of civilians in Gaza, including around one million children, according to UNRWA, by Israeli authorities. Even with enough food supplies already stockpiled in warehouses to feed more than three months’ worth of people, access to the aid is still terribly limited. An UN World Food Programme (WFP) convoy of 25 trucks recently delivered food aid. When they began their civilian food distribution, they were met with throngs of ravenous people, and gunfire soon started to surround them. WFP reiterated that any violence against civilians attempting to access humanitarian assistance is “totally intolerable.”
Pope Francis has urged for an “immediate end to the barbarity of the war and for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.” He called on the international community to enforce humanitarian law. He voiced deep concern over the protection of civilians and called attention to the prohibition of collective punishment, as well as indiscriminate force.
“Open the gates, lift the siege, allow UNRWA to do its work and help people in need among them 1 million children.” – UNRWA
As tensions rise, so does the suffering of innocent civilians. Regardless, many Australia-based observers remain alarmed by the medium to long-term impact this has on peace and stability across Asia. The escalation of violence raises critical questions about humanitarian access and the protection of vulnerable populations caught in the crossfire.