As Israel’s Attacks Continue, Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Remains Stalled Amid Crisis

As Israel’s Attacks Continue, Humanitarian Aid to Gaza Remains Stalled Amid Crisis

Israeli airstrikes relentlessly targeted the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, amidst escalating international outrage over Israel’s expanding operations. The deadly assaults have claimed at least 82 lives, including several women and a week-old infant, as reported by Gaza Health Ministry and local hospitals.

Despite Israel permitting dozens of humanitarian trucks to enter Gaza on Tuesday, these crucial supplies have yet to reach those desperate for assistance.

Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the United Nations’ humanitarian agency, reported that no trucks successfully departed from the Gaza side of the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is the main entry point from Israel.

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric expressed concern, stating that although aid had entered Gaza, workers faced obstacles in moving supplies to distribution locations. They were forced to reload the supplies onto separate vehicles, and workers were pressed for time to complete distribution processes.

The Israeli defense authority overseeing humanitarian efforts confirmed that trucks did enter Gaza on Wednesday morning. Nevertheless, uncertainty remains regarding whether this aid will reach deeper areas for effective distribution. The U.N. agency dedicated to Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, noted that its staff waited several hours to collect aid from the border crossing on Tuesday but were thwarted.

Local Activism Meets Resistance

A small group of Israeli activists opposed the delivery of aid into Gaza while Hamas retains Israeli hostages. These activists attempted to block trucks carrying supplies on Wednesday morning, but Israeli police intervened to maintain order.

International Diplomacy Faces Danger

In a related incident, a group of diplomats endured gunfire while visiting Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. According to reports from the Palestinian Authority, this diplomatic mission aimed to assess the humanitarian landscape in Jenin. The delegation comprised around 20 regional, European, and Western diplomats.

An anonymous aid worker reported that the diplomats were near the entrance of the Jenin refugee camp when gunshots rang out. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The Israeli military stated that the delegation had strayed from an approved route, prompting soldiers to fire warning shots to disperse them. The military issued an apology and pledged to reach out to the countries involved.

Footage captured by bystanders shows diplomats running for cover as gunfire erupted. In response to this alarming situation, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas condemned even warning shots as unacceptable and urged Israel to conduct a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, the Italian government, led by Premier Giorgia Meloni, called for clarity on the incident, stressing that its vice consul was among those directly affected.

Jenin has recently become the focal point of Israel’s intensified crackdown on militants in the West Bank.

Escalating Global Pressure on Israel

International calls for restraint have intensified. Recently, the United Kingdom suspended free trade negotiations with Israel after it ramped up military actions. This decision came on the heels of commitments by the U.K., Canada, and France to urge Israel to cease hostilities. Separately, the European Union is reassessing its trade agreements with Israel due to its ongoing military actions in Gaza.

Israel has asserted its commitment to halting military operations once all hostages taken by Hamas return home. The Israeli government demands that Hamas be disarmed or exiled. Conversely, Hamas has expressed willingness to release hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal from the territory and an end to military operations, while rejecting disarmament demands.

Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolding

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with experts warning of an impending famine. With a population of over two million, many residents face acute food shortages. At a displacement camp in Gaza City, a charity organization distributed scant portions of thin lentil soup.

Somaia Abu Amsha shared her family’s plight, revealing they have gone without bread for over ten days. She lamented her inability to afford basic staples like rice and pasta. “We don’t want anything other than that they end the war. We don’t want charity kitchens. Even dogs wouldn’t eat this, let alone children,” she said, gesturing at the inadequate soup.

During his first general audience in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV called urgently for aid to reach the besieged Gaza Strip and an end to the devastating impact on its populace.

Healthcare Facilities Under Siege

Reports indicate that Israeli troops have surrounded two of the last functioning hospitals in northern Gaza, restricting all movement in and out of these facilities. Hospital staff and aid organizations confirmed these actions are taking place.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has sought global intervention to conclude the blockade on Gaza, emphasizing this demand during a visit to Beirut. There, he is expected to address discussions surrounding the disarmament of Palestinian groups in Lebanon’s refugee camps.

Abbas stated, “It is time to end the war of extermination against the Palestinian people. I reiterate that we will not leave, and we will remain here on the land of our homeland, Palestine.” He demanded immediate access for humanitarian aid, the release of detainees, and full withdrawal from Gaza.

The conflict in Gaza ignited following a massive assault by Hamas militants on southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of over 1,200 people, primarily civilians. The militants continue to hold 58 captives, with around a third believed to be alive after previous hostage returns were facilitated through various ceasefire agreements.

As Israel’s counteroffensive continues, significant destruction has occurred across Gaza. The Health Ministry has reported over 53,000 Palestinian casualties, mainly among women and children, but notable discrepancies exist as the ministry does not differentiate between combatants and non-combatants in its casualty counts.