Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds
UNRWA chief recounts the hardships endured in Gaza: a snapshot of the daily struggling life.
The tumultuous conflict between Israel and Iran casts a long shadow over the grim reality in Gaza. Despite fading into the periphery, the situation there remains grave, according to Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA chief. "It's high time for a lasting peace in Gaza and the entire region," he stated, labeling himself an "idealistic optimist."
In recent days, the death toll and injury count has mounted once again, Lazzarini commented ruefully. This gruesome tally includes innocent civilians caught in the crossfire near humanitarian aid distribution centers run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).
Lazzarini's reference to allegations of Israeli soldiers opening fire on civilians near GHF distribution centers stems from repeated reports in the media. The GHF, which is backed by Israel and the USA, has outright denied such accusations.
The GHF was established last month after nearly three months of Israeli aid restrictions. Designed as an alternative to UN and international aid organizations, the GHF aims to prevent Hamas from co-opting humanitarian aid, as claimed by Israel and the USA.
However, Lazzarini laments that even with ample aid supplies reaching Gaza, restrictions on UN aid persist. Fuel shortages have been hamstringing critical services in the healthcare sector and drinking water provision.
The catalyst for the Gaza crisis was the attack by Hamas and other Islamist militants on Israel on October 7, 2023. This brutal assault resulted in the loss of approximately 1,200 lives and the kidnapping of over 250 individuals, taken to Gaza. Since then, Israel's military has been locked in combat with Hamas in the devastated coastal region. The Gaza health authority, controlled by Hamas, reports that over 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and the figures do not distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.
2 million people in Gaza are grappling with dire living conditions, with nearly a million internally displaced and residing in overcrowded refugee camps or with inadequate shelter in open areas, devoid of access to clean water and sanitation facilities[1]. Hospitals and clinics in the region are on the brink of collapse, pushed to the edge by repeated attacks, fuel shortages, and a scarcity of essential medical supplies such as medications for chronic illnesses and antibiotics[1]. The population faces a severe risk of famine, as essential food supplies dwindle in markets and distribution centers. The farming, livestock, and fishing industries have also been severely weakened due to a lack of safe access for farmers, breeders, and fishermen[4]. The ongoing conflict and restrictions on aid delivery have significantly obstructed humanitarian service providers like the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and UNRWA[1][2].
References:
- Human Rights Watch (2024). "Gaza Crisis: Hamas and Israel Committed War Crimes."
- Amnesty International (2024). "Israel and Hamas have Trampled Human Rights in Gaza."
- United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (2025). "Gaza Crisis: Humanitarian Funding Requirements Increase."
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025). "Gaza Crisis: Agricultural Sector Within Inches of Collapse."
The unfolding crisis in Gaza, marked by political tension and general-news headlines, deeply concerns Philippe Lazzarini, the UNRWA chief, who advocates for a peaceful resolution. Despite the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aiming to provide an alternative to UN and international aid organizations, the humanitarian situation within Gaza remains critical, as fuel shortages hamper critical services such as healthcare and drinking water provision.
