Is it America to the rescue yet again, with American dollars that we do not have? Biden is quite good at wasting American billions.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deepen, with virtually no aid reaching the beleaguered population amidst ongoing conflict. Conditions have deteriorated severely over the past eight months, impacting everyone, including humanitarian workers who are struggling to provide essential services while also dealing with personal hardships.
One aid worker from Mercy Corps, originally from Rafah but now in Khan Younis, highlighted the dire situation faced by the local children, many of whom are experiencing severe malnutrition and dehydration. He recounted the health struggles of his own children, who have fallen ill due to unsafe drinking water. This has led to serious illnesses including suspected hepatitis in one child.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is worsening by the day. Families like mine are struggling to survive amidst constant airstrikes and ground incursions. We need urgent international help. 🙏😢#SaveGazaChildren pic.twitter.com/poTxMTj66R
— Palestine Street Angels 🇵🇸 (@MShagalaih1) June 29, 2024
Another experienced humanitarian worker described the scene in Gaza as the worst he has encountered, worse even than in places like Sudan, Iraq, and Ukraine. He was particularly struck by a recent sight of a makeshift cemetery with multiple fresh graves, preparing for more casualties.
The delivery of aid is critically hampered by increased security risks, prompting humanitarian groups to repeatedly sound the alarm. The United Nations has warned that it might halt aid operations unless safety for their workers can be guaranteed. The situation is further exacerbated by conflicts with Israeli authorities, which humanitarian organizations accuse of delaying aid deliveries due to security checks and military operations, particularly in southern Gaza.
The worst thing of the crisis of water in #Gaza is that over 17,000 orphans, 𝑤𝘩𝑜𝑠𝑒 𝑓𝑎𝑡𝘩𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝘩𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝐾𝐼𝐿𝐿𝐸𝐷 𝑏𝑦 𝐼𝑠𝑟𝑎𝑒𝑙𝑖 𝑜𝑐𝑐𝑢𝑝𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑠, are obliged to bring water for their families from very long distances! pic.twitter.com/Z1TA1wFzfC
— Motasem A Dalloul (@AbujomaaGaza) June 28, 2024
A spokesperson from the World Food Programme emphasized the nearly impossible conditions under which they are expected to operate, citing a need for safer working environments from the Israeli military. Meanwhile, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report has revealed a grim picture: approximately 500,000 Palestinians are on the brink of starvation, with the majority of the population in a state of crisis or worse. The IPC also indicated a high risk of famine, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and restricted humanitarian access.
Tensions and distrust towards aid distribution have risen among Gazans, leading to increased attacks on aid convoys. An aid worker shared that many believe there is manipulation in how aid is distributed, with essential goods often sold at inflated prices privately rather than being distributed as aid.
Mercy Corps’ vice president of Global Policy and Advocacy stressed that Israeli military operations, particularly in Rafah, have severely obstructed aid delivery, forcing people to resort to extreme measures to survive. Additionally, the U.S. has attempted to facilitate aid through a maritime corridor, but logistical challenges and adverse weather have hindered these efforts significantly.
Despite the efforts to bring large shipments of aid in early spring, the recent offensive in Rafah has collapsed much of the infrastructure needed to sustain aid delivery. This has resulted in a significant drop in aid reaching Gaza, highlighting the ongoing challenges and the critical need for improved cooperation and security to ensure humanitarian aid can reach those in dire need.
Major Points
- Virtually no humanitarian aid is reaching Gaza due to ongoing conflict and increased security risks, severely impacting the population.
- Many children in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition and diseases like hepatitis due to unsafe drinking water.
- Humanitarian organizations are struggling with Israeli security measures that delay aid deliveries, exacerbating the crisis.
- The UN warns of a potential halt in aid operations unless worker safety improves, with a report indicating half a million Palestinians on the brink of starvation.
- Recent military operations in Gaza have damaged infrastructure critical for aid delivery, with large aid shipments in early spring failing to prevent the re-emergence of mass hunger.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
