Gaza Celebrates Eid outdoors amidst Ruins - Israel Issues Warning for Intensified Military Operations
Fresh Take:
The volatile situation in northern Gaza has once again escalated, with Israel issuing a stark warning of impending military operations. This comes after alleged rocket attacks from the region. As the Islamic holiday, Eid al Adha, begins, Palestinians in Gaza find themselves amidst a war-torn landscape, with little hope for peace. Most of Gaza lies in ruins, forcing people to hold prayer services in the open air, while food supplies dwindle.
Food and essential aid were barred from entering the Palestinian territory for over two months, but a trickle of supplies has managed to come in recently. However, the UN is unable to distribute much of the aid due to the risk of looting and restrictions on movement.
"This is the harshest feast the Palestinian people have ever experienced due to the unjust war against us," lamented Kamel Emran after prayers in Khan Younis.
The ongoing crisis between Israel and Hamas, which began after the October 2023 Hamas attacks, has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel, and devastating impacts on infrastructure, health services, and daily life for millions of civilians.
Behind the Scenes
- Humanitarian Crisis: Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has faced repeated near-total blockades by Israel, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial supplies. These blockades, lasting about 90 days each, have directly contributed to warnings of imminent famine by the UN and other international organizations.
- Health System Collapse: The health system in Gaza has been reported collapsed since November 2023. As of mid-2025, hospitals continue to operate with extremely limited resources, and over a third of essential medical supplies are out of stock, while a quarter are expected to run out soon.
- Displacement and Infrastructure Damage: The population has suffered prolonged bombardment, forced displacement, and destruction of homes and essential infrastructure. Over 1.5 years of ongoing conflict have overwhelmed communities and crippled humanitarian actors’ ability to respond effectively.
- Restrictions on Humanitarian Actors: All UNRWA international staff are now banned from entering Gaza following Israeli legislation in October 2024, further hindering the capacity for aid delivery. Local Palestinian UNRWA staff continue to provide critical services under extremely difficult conditions.
Aid Distribution Challenges
- Blockades and Restrictions: Israel has periodically allowed brief increases in aid during international outcry over famine warnings (such as in March and November 2024), but has typically tightened controls again once attention fades. As of May 2025, following an eleven-week closure, Israel partially reopened crossings but maintained most restrictions.
- Rationing and Shortages: UNRWA food and flour parcels have run out, and commercial supplies are not entering Gaza. Fuel is in critically short supply, affecting hospitals, water and sanitation systems, and food distribution networks.
- New Aid Schemes and Chaos: In May 2025, a new U.S.-Israeli humanitarian aid operation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), was launched to bypass traditional UN and relief agency channels. However, the scheme devolved into deadly chaos, with dozens of Palestinians killed and scores wounded while trying to reach fortified distribution hubs.
- Ongoing Need for a Comprehensive Plan: Despite the existence of a comprehensive UN plan from May 2025, its adoption has been stalled by diplomatic impasses. Ending both the war and the overarching starvation policy is seen as essential for any meaningful improvement in conditions.
The dire circumstances in Gaza persist, with the population heavily dependent on international aid and facing ongoing risks of starvation, disease, and violence. The blockade, ongoing conflict, and restrictions on humanitarian agencies have created a cycle of crisis that cannot be resolved by technical adjustments alone.
[1] UN Palestine Refugee Agency. (2025). Gaza Crisis Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.unrwa.org/region/gaza-strip[2] OCHA. (2025). Humanitarian response in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Retrieved from https://www.ochaopt.org/content/humanitarian-response-opt[3] World Health Organization. (2025). Health system in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/highlight-centers/west-asia/opt/en/
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza, characterized by political tensions, warfare, and allegations of rocket attacks, further complicates the distribution of general-news and crime-and-justice related reports in the region.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by acute shortages of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel, has led to a significant increase in crime-and-justice incidents, as desperate people resort to looting and other illegal activities to survive.
