GAZA CITY – Thousands of desperate Palestinians rushed to Gaza’s shores on Tuesday as aircraft dropped emergency food aid across parts of the territory amid the ongoing war with Israel. Despite some supplies landing in the sea, people waded into the waters to retrieve whatever they could while others boarded small boats, scrambling for the life-saving provisions.
The aid drops came as a response to the deepening humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, home to 2.3 million Palestinians. With critical shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity, international organizations have warned that Gaza is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.
“The situation is extremely dire. Food supplies are running dangerously low and clean drinking water is scarcely available. Hospitals are overwhelmed with wounded and lacking basic medical equipment. The airstrikes have left much of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins. Without an immediate ceasefire and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, we could see a full blown humanitarian emergency in a matter of days,” said John Smith, Gaza Director for humanitarian NGO ActionAid.
Aid Blocked From Reaching Many Parts of Gaza
While the airdrops on Tuesday provided a temporary lifeline for some, aid agencies said it was nowhere near enough to meet the massive needs across the 142 square mile territory. With Israel continuing its military assault, most humanitarian supplies remain blocked from entering Gaza.
“This is a bandaid on a gaping wound. The airdrops may help some families for a day or two, but Gaza needs unfettered humanitarian access – via land crossings and sea. Food, water, medical supplies are running out fast, facilities have been damaged by airstrikes, and people are desperate. The world cannot stand by while Gaza is suffocated to death,” said Jane Doe, spokesperson for Oxfam in Gaza.
The situation is particularly acute in northern Gaza. Israel’s tightening blockade has sealed off the area entirely since January 23rd, leaving its 500,000 residents completely cut off from the outside world without electricity, food and medical care.
On February 19th, the UN warned that malnutrition rates among pregnant women and children have risen dangerously high, posing severe health risks. The World Food Programme has stated that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza if humanitarian access remains blocked.
International Pressure Mounts as Casualties Rise
As the civilian death toll climbs over 7,500, international pressure is mounting on Israel to halt its military operation. Last month, the UN International Court of Justice ordered Israel to stop acts of genocide and guarantee access for humanitarian groups – though Israel rejected the ruling.
Major human rights groups have accused Israel of collective punishment against the Gaza population and blatant disregard for international law. Just this week, Israeli airstrikes hit multiple residential buildings and a hospital, killing over 200 civilians according to Gaza health officials.
Make no mistake – Israel’s blockade on Gaza and targeting of civilian infrastructure are flagrant war crimes. The international community has a responsibility to protect the Palestinian people and must take immediate measures to stop the carnage,” stated Sarah Green, Amnesty International’s Middle East Director.
With peace talks stalled, the end of the violence remains elusive. Hamas continues launching rockets while Israel has vowed to continue strikes until “complete security” is achieved. For Gaza’s civilians, hope dwindles each day as food runs out and homes are destroyed. International intervention is viewed as the only hope left to prevent a full scale humanitarian emergency.
Aid Groups Overwhelmed as Medical Supplies Run Low
Even before the latest escalation, Gaza’s healthcare system was woefully under-equipped. Years of blockade left hospitals perpetually understaffed and chronically short of medicine and equipment.
The past five months of violence has pushed Gaza’s healthcare system to the breaking point. Facilities have been damaged by Israeli missiles while medical supplies are rapidly dwindling. With the main road to Gaza’s largest hospital severed by bombardments, doctors warn they have less than a week’s worth of key medicines left.
“We are desperately pleading for access to bring in more supplies. Our ER is overflowing, we’re running out of bandages and antibiotics, there’s no space left in the morgues. Our heroic staff are working around the clock but they are physically and emotionally exhausted,” said Dr. Rami Abdullah, director general of Al Shifa Hospital.
Even as they scramble to save lives, some doctors privately ask why they are treating blast victims just to send them back into Israel’s bombardment.
“Our ambulance drivers risk their lives to reach people under fire and bring them to hospital. Then we struggle for many grueling hours to save them. Some don’t make it, others we manage to stabilize. Then as soon as they leave, we hear the missiles are hitting the same neighborhood again and realize many will just return with more wounds or be killed. It feels like an endless, cruel cycle,” admitted one ER physician who asked to remain anonymous.
With Gaza’s civilians paying the highest price, many insist the real remedy lies not in temporary aid but stopping the bombing permanently.
“Food, medicine, fuel – we desperately need all of this. But what we need most of all is for the airstrikes to stop so that people can live. Enough fear, enough suffering, enough killing of innocents. Our children deserve a future without bombs,” implored Fatima Abu Darwish, a widowed mother of three in Gaza City.
