The United Nations has raised an alert on Tuesday about the drastic drop in aid reaching Gaza, saying the crisis in the heavily impacted north is now “catastrophic.”
This warning, issued by UNRWA – the agency for Palestinian refugees – came just as Israel announced plans to open another aid route into Gaza. This action follows a deadline set by the U.S., urging improved humanitarian access to the war-torn area.
Ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, Louise Wateridge, an UNRWA emergencies officer, reported that “aid entering Gaza has hit its lowest level in months.”
U.S. leaders, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, warned Israel last month that failing to increase aid flow by November 13 could lead to a reduction in military support from its primary ally, the United States.
The deadline reminder was sent shortly before the November 5 U.S. presidential election, won by Donald Trump, who has pledged to support Israel’s military efforts.
In a Geneva media briefing, Wateridge shared that “the October average was only 37 aid trucks daily for the entire Gaza Strip, serving 2.2 million people.”
“Lives are being lost,” she added, emphasizing that “people need all types of assistance here.”
The situation is most dire in northern Gaza, where a recent UN-backed report warns that famine is imminent. Wateridge noted that no food had entered northern Gaza for a month, and all UN requests for access have been declined.
Reports from the area are grim, painting an “unbearable picture” with conditions worsening by the hour.
“Bombed hospitals, doctors without blood supplies, and empty medicine cabinets bodies lie on the streets,” Wateridge reported.
As Israel continues its air and ground operations in the north to dismantle militant strongholds, the toll on civilians continues to grow.
