Israel is instructed by the Federal Government to ensure the safety and stability of Gaza's supplies.
The Bundeswehr began its aid action last Friday, dropping pallets of food and medical equipment over the Gaza Strip. However, the current state of humanitarian aid in Gaza is dire, with a severe famine unfolding amid ongoing conflict.
According to UN figures, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine. Despite two out of three major water pipelines and one out of ten power transmission lines being operational, the situation remains critical. The price of flour in the Gaza Strip is currently at an astronomical 80 euros per kilogram.
Approximately 50 to 100 percent of aid supplies reaching the Gaza Strip are being diverted by Hamas or other criminal organizations, causing concern for the federal government. Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) thanked the Bundeswehr, Jordanian, and European partners for the air drops, but stressed that Israel remains responsible for ensuring comprehensive supply of aid, with the support of the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations.
Since last week, 220 trucks with aid supplies have been entering the Gaza Strip daily. However, the volume delivered is far below what is necessary. The World Food Programme (WFP) managed to deliver 48.5 million pounds of food aid but estimates that over 135 million pounds are needed monthly to meet basic needs.
The crisis exceeds mere logistical or political complications; it is a catastrophic humanitarian emergency causing starvation, displacement, and healthcare collapse in Gaza. Calls for ceasefires and unrestricted aid access continue, highlighting that without peace and improved access, aid efforts are insufficient to stem famine and suffering.
While the federal government sees initial slight progress in humanitarian aid for the population in the Gaza Strip, it believes that the progress is far from alleviating the crisis. The complex security environment and militarisation of aid distribution contribute to challenges in equitable and effective delivery, though there are no explicit recent confirmed reports in these sources on the diversion of aid by Hamas.
References:
- UN OCHA - Gaza Crisis
- World Food Programme - Gaza
- CNN - Gaza's humanitarian crisis: Aid groups say it's worse than ever
Top United Nations officials appealed for immediate end to war-and-conflicts and improved politics to address the ongoing crisis in Gaza. The dire humanitarian situation requires more than just general-news coverage; it necessitates global intervention to prevent starvation, displacement, and healthcare collapse.
