The Gaza Strip is witnessing a devastating crisis as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates, resulting in a significant loss of life and a dire humanitarian situation. According to reports, at least 1,055 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed since Hamas militants launched a wide-scale attack on communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment, coming from air, land, and sea, has forced over 260,000 people to flee their homes in the Gaza Strip, exacerbating an already critical situation in the besieged Palestinian enclave. Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade since 2007, causing widespread poverty and limiting access to medical care and essential services for its residents.
The United Nations (UN) has raised alarm over the displacement crisis, noting that more than 175,500 people sought shelter in 88 schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) supporting Palestinian refugees. An additional 14,500 sought refuge in government schools, and around 74,000 were estimated to be staying with relatives, neighbors, or seeking shelter in various facilities.
The situation is characterized as the highest number of people displaced since the 50-day escalation of hostilities in 2014, as per the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Meeting basic needs for those who have not been displaced is becoming increasingly challenging, further worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
In response to the conflict, Israel has imposed a “complete siege” on the already blockaded Gaza Strip, severely limiting access to food, water, fuel, and electricity. The Palestinian envoy to the UN has described this move as “genocidal.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed concern, warning that the siege would exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the region. The international community is closely watching the unfolding crisis and its impact on civilian populations.
