Red Cross alerts that aid efforts in Gaza are nearing collapse due to the ongoing blockade by Israel.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has issued a grave warning regarding the dire humanitarian conditions facing Palestinians in Gaza, characterizing the situation as nearing “total collapse.” The ongoing conflict and blockade have created a challenging environment for the 2.3 million residents of the Gaza Strip, who are grappling with a “daily struggle to survive” amidst the heightened tensions.

In a statement released on Friday, the ICRC underscored the urgent need for international aid organizations to facilitate a ceasefire agreement, which would allow for the reopening of essential humanitarian corridors. This proposal seeks an arrangement where Israel would agree to a truce in exchange for the release of hostages by Hamas. The ICRC emphasized that without a prompt resumption of aid deliveries, its capacity to provide necessary food, medicine, and other life-saving supplies in Gaza would be severely compromised.

The strict control exercised by Israel over aid inflows has significantly impacted the humanitarian landscape. Since the closure of aid access on March 2, two weeks before a fragile ceasefire collapsed, the situation has only deteriorated. The ICRC has warned that if the blockade persists, its humanitarian operations could continue for only a few more weeks before resource depletion.

According to international humanitarian law, Israel is obligated to take all available measures to meet the needs of civilians under its control. The ICRC has underscored the profound suffering faced by Gazan civilians, who are navigating the dual threats of ongoing hostilities and severe displacement.

Pascal Hundt, the ICRC’s deputy chief of operations, stated that the situation in Gaza is critical and must not be allowed to deteriorate further. The United Nations has echoed these sentiments, repeatedly flagging the looming humanitarian catastrophe and the increasing risk of famine if the blockade persists.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), remarked that the Israeli siege collectively impacts all demographics within the Gaza Strip, affecting children, women, and the elderly alike. Furthermore, Amjad Shawwa from the Palestinian NGOs Network has warned of the rapidly worsening conditions for children, highlighting the potential for increased malnutrition-related fatalities.

As Israel continues its military operations, reports indicate that significant casualties have occurred, including recent airstrikes in various regions of the enclave. The ongoing crisis calls for urgent global attention and a coordinated response to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people in Gaza.

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