As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to reach alarming levels, so too have international condemnation and demands to intervene. António Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General, expressed his alarm at the increasing phenomenon of malnutrition in the area. He emphasized that kids and grownups alike are suffering. Within the last 48 hours, Gaza’s health officials have counted 33 deaths. Twelve of the victims are children, a stark reminder of the violence that continues to plague the nation.
Israeli soldiers intensified their incursion military operations. They pushed into Deir al-Balah—previously a crucial city in the center of the Gaza Strip that had been mostly untouched by significant ground operations over the past year and a half. This is the city that hosts many of the international aid organizations that are now under greater threat. Amid these developments, Guterres underscored the dire situation by stating that the “last lifelines keeping people alive in Gaza are collapsing.”
Gaza’s humanitarian crisis, specifically the targeting of medical facilities, has come under intense international spotlight and condemnation by global power brokers. Even the British Foreign Secretary David Lammy felt moved to call himself “appalled and sickened” by continued conditions in Gaza. His comments, which are a rarity in Israel’s defense, come amid growing international criticism over Israel’s actions in the occupied territory.
In fact, according to reports, Deir al-Balah has been one of the safest areas in all of Gaza. More recently, attacks on World Health Organization warehouses and staff accommodations have raised deep worries. These incidents have further disrupted already overextended aid operations, deepening the growing humanitarian crisis.
“Malnourishment is soaring and starvation is knocking on every door in Gaza,” – António Guterres
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned that at least 244,000 people in Gaza are under catastrophic hunger. Moreover, there is an astounding 93% of the population experiencing very high levels of acute food insecurity. According to available data, more than 1,000 Palestinians have died getting food. This has been the tragic reality since the establishment of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation’s mandate.
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner General of UNRWA, highlighted the urgent crisis that humanitarian workers continue to face. Daily, many of these staff are fighting their own hunger and deep exhaustion. He noted that doctors, nurses, and journalists have all been affected. Many of them even fainted whilst doing their essential duties.
“Caretakers, including Unrwa colleagues in Gaza, are also in need of care now,” – Philippe Lazzarini
While there is unprecedented rebuke of the humanitarian crisis coming from religious leaders. Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, emphasized that people in Gaza are surviving on a single small meal each day. He called the failure “morally indefensible,” in lockstep with Guterres’ pleas for urgent action.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, supported these statements by denouncing the ongoing violence directed against civilians who are just trying to access humanitarian aid. She noted the need for Israel to immediately stop using military force at distribution points.
“I spoke again with [the Israeli foreign minister] Gideon Saar to recall our understanding on aid flow and made clear that IDF must stop killing people at distribution points,” – Kaja Kallas
Critics have trained their sights particularly on Israel’s military attacks. They’ve publicly admonished the British government for failing to take action as they would like. Kristyan Benedict of Amnesty International UK criticized the government for its “failure to take robust measures to prevent genocide in Gaza,” highlighting a disconnect between diplomatic rhetoric and necessary action.
David Lammy pointed to the strange language that has entered diplomatic discussions over the crisis. He proposed that these grim terms indicate an accelerating urgency and understanding of the challenge.
“These are not words that are usually used by a foreign secretary who is attempting to be diplomatic,” – David Lammy
The war is ongoing, and it requires urgent action. Urgent calls from international organizations and leaders to address the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza are going unheeded. Now the stakes are even higher, and more lives continue to hang in the balance.