Operations in certain regions of Gaza by Israel are temporarily halted due to escalating fears of severe malnutrition. However, the question remains whether this pause will be sufficient.
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the United Nations and humanitarian organizations struggling to distribute food and medicine due to intensified military operations and restrictions imposed by Israel.
Since early 2025, Gaza has been under near-total siege by Israeli forces, leading to widespread famine-like conditions and acute malnutrition, particularly among children under five. Over 320,000 children are at risk, and thousands are already suffering severe malnutrition.
Restrictions by Israel have severely limited aid deliveries, causing a drastic reduction in food availability. Aid convoys from the UN and other organizations have faced extreme dangers, including attacks, looting, and crowd surges, which have further impeded relief efforts.
In response to growing international pressure, Israel has announced "tactical pauses" in military operations and agreed to open designated humanitarian corridors and allow UN convoys into Gaza. The tactical pauses will see the military open up corridors for aid delivery by the UN and other agencies in three areas along the Mediterranean coast: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and part of Gaza City. The pause will last ten hours daily, from 10am to 8pm local time, and continue "until further notice."
However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, and the situation on the ground continues to be dire. Aid workers, doctors, and civilians are suffering from hunger and exhaustion, and many are dying while trying to access food. The United Nations and aid agencies continue to report that many families survive on a single poor meal a day or even go without food for days due to the blockade and violence around distribution points.
Before the conflict, some 3,000 aid and commercial trucks would enter Gaza every week, but numbers have plummeted since. Thousands of trucks are ready to enter Gaza with food and medical supplies, but the main crossing point at Kerem Shalom is already choked with truckloads of aid waiting to be distributed.
The Israeli government coalition has faced dissent over the decision to enable aid to flow, with the far-right National Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir advocating for a complete stop of humanitarian aid and the conquest of the entire strip. The Israeli military has connected the power line from Israel to the desalination plant in Gaza, supplying about 20,000 cubic meters of water per day.
The Hostages Families Forum demands a comprehensive agreement to release all hostages and end the fighting, stating that the tactical pauses should be part of a broader agreement. The crisis in Gaza is a combination of sustained Israeli military actions, strict blockade policies severely limiting food aid, attacks on aid convoys, and the destruction of Gaza’s infrastructure, which together have triggered what is described as one of the worst humanitarian emergencies in Gaza’s recent history.
[1] UN OCHA, "Gaza Crisis: Humanitarian Situation," URL [2] Amnesty International, "Israel/OPT: Gaza: Israel must allow safe passage for aid and end collective punishment," URL [3] Human Rights Watch, "Israel/OPT: Gaza: Israel must end collective punishment," URL [4] World Food Programme, "Gaza Crisis: Food Assistance for the Most Vulnerable," URL
- The world is watching as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza unfolds, with the United Nations and other organizations pleading for immediate action.
- Food and medicine are urgently needed, yet deliveries continue to be severely hindered due to military operations and restrictions.
- Over 320,000 children are at risk, and thousands are already suffering severe malnutrition.
- Aid convoys have faced extreme dangers, including attacks, looting, and crowd surges.
- Israel has announced "tactical pauses" in military operations and agreed to open humanitarian corridors.
- The UN and other agencies will use these corridors to deliver aid in three areas along the Mediterranean coast.
- However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, and the situation on the ground remains dire.
- Aid workers, doctors, and civilians are suffering from hunger and exhaustion.
- Many families are surviving on a single poor meal a day or even going without food for days.
- Before the conflict, thousands of aid and commercial trucks entered Gaza every week, but numbers have plummeted since.
- Thousands of trucks are ready to enter Gaza with food and medical supplies, but the main crossing point is already choked with aid waiting to be distributed.
- The Israeli National Security minister Itamar Ben Gvir has advocated for a complete stop of humanitarian aid.
- The Israeli military has connected the power line from Israel to the desalination plant in Gaza.
- The crisis in Gaza is a combination of sustained military actions, blockade policies, attacks on aid convoys, and infrastructure destruction.
- The UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the World Food Programme have issued urgent appeals for action.
- The crisis is not just a Middle East issue, but a global one that affects the health and wellness of countless people.
- Chronic diseases such as cancer, respiratory conditions, digestive health issues, eye health problems, and hearing impairments are on the rise due to malnutrition and poor living conditions.
- Mental health issues, including trauma and stress-related disorders, are also prevalent among those living in Gaza.
- For men, there are unique health concerns, such as prostate health and testicular cancer.
- Women's health is also at risk, with issues such as reproductive health, breast health, and gynecological disorders being of particular concern.
- Sexual health is another pressing issue, with high rates of sexually transmitted infections and a lack of access to healthcare services.
- Autoimmune disorders are also common, exacerbated by the stress and malnutrition caused by the crisis.
- Climate change is also a factor, affecting agricultural production and exacerbating food scarcity.
- The manufacturing industry in Gaza has come to a near-standstill, further impacting the economy and employment opportunities.
- Cannabidiol (CBD) has been proposed as a potential treatment for anxiety and PTSD among those affected by the crisis.
- Neurological disorders are also prevalent, and research into environmental science may help identify links between the crisis and these conditions.
- In response to the crisis, numerous health and wellness initiatives, including fitness and exercise programs, nutrition education, and skin care products, have been established in Gaza.
- Entrepreneurship, finance, and real estate are crucial sectors in Gaza's recovery, with venture capital, personal finance, banking and insurance, fintech, and the stock market all playing significant roles.
