A report from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that the killing of police officers in Gaza by the Israeli military in February significantly complicated the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. The report stated, “The Israeli military’s stance of treating police forces as combatants complicates efforts to restore law and order, which are crucial for protecting civilians and smoothly delivering humanitarian aid.”
The report further mentioned, “There were reports of at least 5 separate Israeli attacks on police forces in Gaza in February, resulting in reduced presence in open areas, such as the main supply routes through Gaza and the crossings through which humanitarian aid enters Gaza, accompanied by a deterioration in security.”
The Israeli military has been conducting military operations against the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas, which controls the enclave, launched “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood,” firing thousands of rockets at Israel and infiltrating Israeli towns near the Strip, resulting in the death of about 1,200 Israelis and the capture of approximately 250 others.
The battles included a 7-day truce achieved through Egyptian, Qatari, and American mediation, during which women and children were exchanged as prisoners, and agreed quantities of aid were brought into the Gaza Strip before military operations resumed on December 1.
Since October 7, the Israeli bombardment and ground operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in approximately 31,000 deaths and over 70,000 injuries, in addition to thousands of missing persons, according to data from the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical level, exacerbated by recent conflicts and blockades. The healthcare system is on the brink of collapse, with hospitals facing severe shortages of medical supplies and power outages threatening the lives of thousands of patients, including those with critical conditions and newborns in incubators. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has highlighted the immediate risks to patients due to the lack of electricity, which is essential for hospital operations.
The food and water crisis is equally dire. Nearly half a million people in Gaza have been unable to access food rations, and the closure of food distribution centers has made basic sustenance scarce. The agricultural sector, a crucial source of food, has suffered significant damage due to airstrikes, further diminishing the availability of fresh produce and livestock. The situation has led to widespread hunger, with reports indicating that every person in Gaza is struggling to find food and drinkable water.
