All articles tagged with #israeli blockade
Babies in Gaza are dying from hypothermia and preventable conditions due to a blockade and restricted aid, with over two million Palestinians suffering from harsh winter conditions, inadequate shelter, and ongoing Israeli attacks, highlighting the urgent need to lift restrictions and provide humanitarian assistance.
Children in Gaza are starving due to Israel's blockade and suspension of aid, leading to over 100 deaths from malnutrition and a severe humanitarian crisis, despite some recent efforts to increase aid and international pressure for a ceasefire.
Photographs of severely malnourished children in Gaza, including a toddler with cerebral palsy, have been used to debate the reality of starvation caused by the Israeli blockade. Experts emphasize that these children’s conditions are consistent with starvation, exacerbated by the blockade’s impact on medical and nutritional services, and not merely pre-existing health issues. The images highlight the severe humanitarian crisis and the heightened risk of malnutrition and death among Gaza’s vulnerable populations, especially children.
The article highlights the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where ongoing Israeli attacks and a blockade have led to widespread starvation, malnutrition, and deteriorating living conditions, with international organizations urgently calling for aid to prevent further deaths, especially among children.
Aid distribution in Gaza by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation faced violence and delays amid Israeli military fire and blockades, prompting international criticism and calls for the reopening of crossings to ensure aid reaches Palestinians effectively.
A new US-backed aid group, Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, has begun distributing food in Gaza, bypassing the UN and facing criticism for its militarized and politicized approach amid ongoing conflict and blockade, with concerns over humanitarian principles and aid effectiveness.
Palestinian women in Gaza, facing a severe water shortage exacerbated by the Israeli blockade and recent military actions, have been forced to shave their heads to prevent scalp diseases due to lack of clean water for washing. The water crisis has led to unsanitary conditions, posing health risks such as alopecia, scalp ringworm, and bacterial infections. The World Health Organisation has warned of the spread of infectious diseases in Gaza, while the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has highlighted the use of water as a weapon of war, with clean water being scarce and unavailable in sufficient quantities.
Residents in the Gaza Strip are expressing anger and frustration over the steep rise in prices of basic food products following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. The closure of border crossings has led to wholesale merchants selling products at much higher prices, causing inflation rates of up to 2,000 percent. The poverty rate in Gaza has reached 53 percent, with one-third of residents living in extreme poverty. Unemployment is at 47 percent, and approximately 64 percent of households do not have enough food. The small amount of aid allowed into Gaza is insufficient to meet the needs of the displaced population, and the destruction of infrastructure has further crippled the economy.
The Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip has become crucial for aid to enter Gaza, which has been under an Israeli blockade for over 16 years. The crossing is also the only exit for foreigners and critically wounded individuals seeking medical treatment outside of Gaza. However, the scale of Gaza's humanitarian crisis overwhelms the capacity of the crossing, with limited supplies of drinking water and delays in aid distribution. Egypt has been sending aid through Rafah, but it is insufficient to meet the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza. The United Nations has called on Israel to open one of its border crossings to allow more aid to reach Gaza.
The Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the only facility offering cancer treatment in Gaza, has shut down due to a lack of fuel caused by the Israeli blockade. With 16 out of 35 hospitals and over 50 primary healthcare clinics now out of service, the lives of 70 cancer patients are at serious risk. The ongoing bombardment by the Israeli military has put immense pressure on medical workers, while pregnant women face the prospect of giving birth without medical support. Humanitarian operations in Gaza are also on the brink of collapse due to fuel shortages.
Hospitals in the Gaza Strip are on the brink of collapse due to the Israeli blockade, which has cut off power, clean water, and essential medical supplies. Doctors are forced to treat patients on the floor, in corridors, and in overcrowded rooms. They lack basic items for pain relief and infection prevention, resorting to using household items and makeshift solutions. The ongoing bombing campaign has overwhelmed the remaining health facilities, leaving hospitals unable to cope with the influx of patients. Aid is trickling in, but it is not enough to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
The U.S.-approved aid deal to allow humanitarian assistance into the Gaza Strip faces several hurdles before reaching Palestinians in need. While President Biden announced that up to 20 trucks of aid from Egypt would be allowed into Gaza, repairs to the road and damage from Israeli airstrikes must be addressed first. Humanitarian officials emphasize the need for consistent and unimpeded aid access, as the current crisis has left the entire population destitute. The initial aid delivery will provide temporary relief, but sustained and daily aid is necessary. Concerns about aid diversion and the safety of aid workers remain, and discussions on inspections and monitoring mechanisms are ongoing. The limited aid effort is seen as insufficient by Palestinians, who are struggling amidst a humanitarian catastrophe.