The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip has only worsened recently against the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East.
Following the breach of the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, it has been impossible to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, states Paul Heber, Head of Communication of Unicef in Luxembourg. This includes food, drinking water, shelter, and medical aid. He explains in conversation with RTL that this has been the longest period characterised by a lack of access to the Gaza Strip since the start of the war, emphasising that there is a risk of diseases spreading. The lack of humanitarian aid may also contribute to children dying of medically avoidable causes, he states.
Heber details the number of children that have died since the breach of the ceasefire followed by the intensive ground offensive launched by Israeli forces, stating that at least 322 children have died and 609 have been injured. These numbers represent the daily average of 100 children in the last ten days, with many of these children already suffering under displacement, living in tents or in damaged buildings, according to Heber. The numbers also comprise children who died or were injured during an attack launched against a hospital in the South of Gaza on 23 March, he concludes.
Not only has humanitarian aid been barred access to the Gaza Strip, but electricity in the Strip has been cut off by Israeli authorities since the beginning of March. In light of this, General Director of MSF Thomas Kauffmann detailed the extreme difficulties this represents, as the lack of resources on site has even entailed performing surgeries without painkillers.
Kauffmann explained further that 377 people linked to aid groups have lost their lives since October 2023, describing the situation as a “collective punishment” that should be brought to an end, with the delivery of humanitarian aid guaranteed alongside a halt to the bombing of hospitals.
Heber sees the need to justify Unicef’s involvement in the Gaza Strip in contrast to their perceived lack of activity in Israel, explaining that they are not favouring one side, but rather that they are unable to provide any official aid in the absence of an official request for aid, implying that Israeli authorities have not requested it.
Furthermore, Heber explained that aid groups are currently faced with an exceptional situation in the Gaza Strip in comparison to other conflict zones, as there is no official corridor giving access to Gaza, which significantly complicates the delivery of aid.
Both aid groups, Unicef and MSF, underscored the need for a ceasefire as an indispensable prerequisite for the delivery of essential aid.
