UN Warns of Dire Humanitarian Crisis in Northern Gaza
The United Nations has raised urgent concerns about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in northern Gaza, warning that Palestinians are facing “diminishing conditions for survival” after 40 days of virtually no aid delivery.
UN agencies report that between 65,000 and 75,000 people in the areas of Beit Hanoun, Beit Lahia, and Jabalia are experiencing extreme hardship. Of the 31 planned humanitarian missions to these regions between November 1-18, 27 were rejected by Israeli authorities, and the remaining four were severely impeded.
The situation has become critically dire, with:
– Bakeries and kitchens shutting down
– Nutrition support for children and pregnant women suspended
– Water and sanitation facilities completely blocked
– Hospitals operating with minimal resources
At Kamal Adwan hospital, Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya reported the situation is becoming “even more catastrophic.” The hospital currently has 85 patients receiving minimal healthcare and urgently needs children’s food and infant formula. Since Tuesday, 17 children have arrived at the emergency room showing signs of malnutrition, and an elderly man has died from severe dehydration.
A UN-backed assessment has indicated a strong likelihood of imminent famine in northern Gaza. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric emphasized the urgent need for immediate action, stating that interventions are needed in days, not weeks.
The humanitarian crisis is compounded by ongoing military operations. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim their six-week offensive targets Hamas fighters and facilitates civilian evacuations. However, displaced residents tell a different story. One boy from Beit Lahia described being forced to evacuate, arriving in Gaza City with no food, drink, or shelter, ultimately being forced to live on the streets with six families.
The conflict’s human toll continues to mount. Israel launched its campaign following Hamas’s October 7 attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 43,980 people have been killed in Gaza since then.
While the Israeli military’s humanitarian affairs body, Cogat, claims to have facilitated 472 aid lorries entering northern Gaza, UN agencies report significant obstacles to delivering essential supplies. Aid workers have been forced to offload food and medical supplies at military checkpoints, preventing them from reaching those most in need.
The international community continues to call for increased humanitarian access and an immediate de-escalation of the conflict to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
The situation remains critical, with urgent humanitarian intervention needed to prevent a potential humanitarian catastrophe in northern Gaza.
