Israel and the occupied territories: After two months of aid blockage, humanitarian response in Gaza on verge of total collapse

“Civilians in Gaza are facing an overwhelming daily struggle to survive the dangers of hostilities, cope with relentless displacement, and endure the consequences of being deprived of urgent humanitarian assistance,” said Pascal Hundt, ICRC Deputy Director of Operations “This situation must not—and cannot—be allowed to escalate further.”

Under international humanitarian law, Israel has an obligation to use all means available to ensure that the basic needs of the civilian population under its control are met. If the blockage continues, programmes such as the ICRC common kitchens—which often provide the only meal people receive each day—will only be able to operate for a few more weeks.  

The Red Cross Field Hospital in Gaza is also running dangerously low on food and medical supplies, with some essential medicines and consumables already exhausted. Hospitals and other medical facilities are reorganizing stocks and prioritising supplies to be able to continue lifesaving activities. Without urgent replenishment, hospitals will struggle to continue providing much-needed medical care to patients. 

The deterioration of the water, sanitation and hygiene situation is also acute. Disruption to water systems—including the closure of water pipelines and destruction of critical sewage trucks—has created an unacceptably high risk of waterborne diseases. 

The situation is compounded by repeated attacks impacting the work of healthcare facilities and medical personnel. Last month, 15 medical, civil defense, and humanitarian personnel, including eight medics from the Palestine Red Crescent Society, were brutally killed. Damage to health facilities such as the Kuwait Field Hospital and Al Ahli Hospital in recent weeks has further crippled Gaza’s collapsing health system. 

The ICRC remains committed to serving civilians in Gaza, but the deteriorating security situation is severely limiting the work and movement of ICRC personnel and our partners. International humanitarian law is clear: medical personnel and facilities must be respected and protected in all circumstances. All parties must ensure that hospitals and medical facilities remain sanctuaries to preserve human life. 

Aid must be allowed to enter Gaza. Hostages must be released. Civilians must be protected. Without immediate action, Gaza will descend further into chaos that humanitarian efforts will not be able to mitigate.