The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where fuel shortages and ongoing hostilities are threatening the water supply for over two million Palestinians.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the blockade on fuel entering Gaza has persisted for more than 100 days. “If these life-saving operations shut down, more people will die,” OCHA stated, emphasizing the urgent need for fuel to produce, treat, and distribute water.
Reports indicate that people continue to be killed or injured, including those seeking aid near distribution sites or designated routes. The UN has called on Israeli authorities to allow the delivery of sufficient quantities of fuel throughout Gaza, including the north.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) highlighted the dire situation for children, warning that without an end to the fuel blockade, “children will begin to die of thirst.” The number of children admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition surged nearly 50% in May compared to April, underscoring the critical need for clean water.
Mental health concerns are also mounting. Caregivers report that children are experiencing significant psychological stress due to deteriorating conditions and lack of food. The UN and its partners have provided sessions to help over 1,000 children manage their fears and emotions, and more than 2,000 caregivers have received mental health support services.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has trained hundreds of humanitarian workers in psychological first aid to support the population. However, the continued displacement of residents exacerbates the crisis. Recent orders from the Israeli military have displaced at least 30,000 people in Jabalya in the north.
With shelter supplies banned from entering the strip for over 16 weeks, humanitarian partners are finding creative solutions, such as recycling wooden pallets from food shipments to maintain temporary shelters. But without fuel and essential materials, these efforts may not be sustainable.
Humanitarian movements inside Gaza face significant obstacles. Of 14 attempted movements coordinated by the UN and its partners, six were denied, including the transport of fuel and water and the retrieval of bodies. There is an urgent call for increased access and support to prevent further loss of life.
