The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has announced the suspension of food distribution in Rafah, a southern city in the Gaza Strip, citing both insecurity and a lack of supplies. This suspension comes amidst ongoing closures of border crossings by Israel, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory.
UNRWA revealed that out of its 24 health centers in Gaza, only seven are currently operational. Furthermore, the agency has not received any medical supplies in the past 10 days due to disruptions at the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem crossings. These closures have severed vital lifelines for aid and humanitarian workers, leaving thousands of Palestinians without access to essential goods and services.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hind Al Khoudary, reporting from Deir el-Balah, emphasized the catastrophic impact of the halt in distribution not only on Rafah but also across the entire Gaza Strip. She highlighted the devastating reality of more than two weeks passing without any incoming supplies since the closure of the Rafah crossing by Israeli forces.
Senior UN aid official Edem Wosornu addressed the UN Security Council, expressing grave concern over the insufficient supplies and fuel to support Gaza’s population. Describing the situation as a catastrophe, Wosornu stressed the urgent need for international intervention to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.
The closure of the Rafah crossing has halted the delivery of over 82,000 tonnes of supplies, while access at the Karem Abu Salem crossing from Israel remains limited due to hostilities and logistical challenges. In northern Gaza, where a famine is imminent, the Beit Hanoon crossing has been closed since May 9, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
Israeli attacks in Rafah have resulted in the deaths of at least seven Palestinians, with over 80 Palestinians killed across the enclave in the previous 24 hours alone. The assault on Rafah has prompted hundreds of thousands of residents to flee, adding to the displacement crisis in Gaza.
Despite warnings from the US about the risk of mass casualties, Israel has indicated its intention to broaden operations in Rafah. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated concerns about the potential consequences of a major Israeli operation, while the Biden administration continues to provide military and diplomatic support to Israel.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on Israel to lift restrictions on aid into Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that without increased aid flow, hospitals in Gaza would struggle to provide life-saving care to patients.
The closure of crossings has severely impacted healthcare facilities, with six hospitals and nine primary health centers affected. Additionally, 70 shelters have lost their medical facilities, further compounding the challenges faced by Palestinians in Gaza.
Tedros highlighted the dire situation at al-Awda Hospital in northern Gaza, which remains under siege, trapping hospital staff and patients inside. He also expressed concern about the fighting near Kamal Adwan Hospital, jeopardizing its ability to provide critical care to patients.
In response to escalating violence, Israeli forces have targeted hospitals, including the emergency department and main gates of Kamal Adwan Hospital. This has forced patients and Palestinians seeking refuge to evacuate, further straining an already overwhelmed healthcare system.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens in Gaza, calls for international action to lift restrictions on aid and alleviate the suffering of Palestinians grow louder. The suspension of food distribution by UNRWA underscores the urgent need for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life and alleviate the immense suffering of Gaza’s population.
