Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis Deepens Amid Renewed Israeli Assault
Aid Workers in Peril: The Mounting Toll
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has taken a dire turn as more than a dozen aid workers have been killed or gone missing in just the past few days. As Israel's complete blockade on humanitarian aid nears the one-month mark, multiple organizations have raised alarms over the deteriorating conditions and rising casualties among those trying to provide relief.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported that eight of its staff members were killed in Gaza within the past week. Similarly, the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) announced that nine of its emergency medical technicians (EMTs) have been missing since Sunday. This followed an incident in which Israeli forces fired upon ambulances and fire trucks in Rafah, a southern governorate in Gaza. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) justified the attack, claiming that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters were using the vehicles as cover.
Volunteer Killed While Delivering Meals
In another tragic event, an Israeli airstrike near a community kitchen in Gaza on Thursday resulted in the death of a World Central Kitchen (WCK) volunteer and injured six others. The attack occurred while meals were being distributed to those in desperate need. The U.S.-based non-profit organization vowed to continue its humanitarian work in the region despite the dangers, stating, "We hope for peace for all and a lasting ceasefire."
The IDF responded to inquiries about the WCK attack, stating that the incident was under review and that they were in contact with the organization to verify details. This latest strike follows a similar event in April 2024, when seven WCK staff members were killed in Israeli military strikes, prompting international outrage and a rare acknowledgment from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who promised an investigation.
Collapse of the Ceasefire and the Aftermath
Since Israel renewed its attacks on March 18, breaking a fragile ceasefire with Hamas, the humanitarian situation has rapidly worsened. Gaza’s Ministry of Health reported on Saturday that at least 921 Palestinians have been killed and over 2,000 injured in the renewed offensive. Before the ceasefire collapsed, between 500 and 600 aid trucks were entering Gaza daily. Now, the blockade has left the region without humanitarian aid for more than three weeks—the longest period without supplies since the war began.
The UN and various aid organizations accuse Israel of violating international law by blocking aid entry and using starvation as a weapon of war. Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA’s Commissioner-General, made a dire plea: “The siege must be lifted, and crossings must reopen for a standard flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies.”
Hunger and Disease: A Looming Catastrophe
The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a grave warning that the ongoing conflict has placed hundreds of thousands of Palestinians at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition. The agency reported that it has enough food supplies to sustain operations for only two more weeks. The closure of nearly ten community kitchens due to hostilities and energy shortages has further exacerbated the crisis. Cooking gas supplies are available only in extremely limited quantities at exorbitant prices, forcing families to rely on community kitchens—when they are operational.
With limited access to food and clean water, the spread of disease is becoming a growing concern. Lazzarini emphasized that parents are struggling to find food for their children, hunger is rampant, and the risk of disease is rising rapidly. The humanitarian crisis is reaching unprecedented levels, with the blockade worsening an already dire situation.
The Toll on Humanitarian Workers
The conflict has claimed the lives of around 400 aid workers, including teachers, doctors, and nurses, since October 7, 2023. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported earlier this week that the death toll includes 289 UN staff members, 34 PRCS workers, and 76 individuals from other non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
PRCS workers and Civil Defense teams continue to be among the most vulnerable. Last Sunday, PRCS EMTs went missing in the Tel Sultan area of Rafah after being “besieged and targeted by Israeli forces.” Search teams were only allowed into the area days later, where they discovered extensive destruction. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense, six of its staff members also went missing while responding to the same area.
Scenes of Devastation and International Reactions
Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza Civil Defense, described the scene as “massive destruction” when rescue teams were finally granted access. He reported that the vehicles used by PRCS and Civil Defense had been destroyed, and one emergency worker’s body was retrieved after being buried by bulldozers.
In response, the IDF stated that its forces had fired at “suspicious vehicles” advancing toward troops without coordination, headlights, or emergency signals. The military insisted that it had “eliminated a number of Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists” and condemned what it called the repeated use of civilian infrastructure by militant groups, including medical facilities and ambulances.
An Urgent Call for Protection and Ceasefire
The PRCS has called upon the international community to take immediate action to protect humanitarian workers. “We cannot bear to add more names to this tragic list,” a spokesperson for the organization stated, urging serious measures to ensure the safety of medical teams.
Despite mounting casualties and international concern, the conflict in Gaza continues to escalate, putting thousands of lives—especially those of aid workers and civilians—at extreme risk. Calls for a ceasefire and renewed humanitarian access are growing louder, but with no resolution in sight, the situation remains critical. The world watches as Gaza teeters on the brink of an even greater catastrophe.
Login