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United Nations

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: UN Calls for Israel to Lift Restrictions on Aid Operations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, the United Nations is urging Israel to lift restrictions on aid operations in the Strip, allowing UN-led delivery mechanisms to resume, and stressing the urgent need for both the release of hostages and a ceasefire. The crisis has resulted in the deaths of 798 Palestinian civilians, including children, who were desperate to find food at or near distribution sites and humanitarian convoys.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United Nations is urging Israel to lift restrictions on aid operations in Gaza, allowing UN-led delivery mechanisms to resume.
  • Between 19 May and 14 July, only 1,633 trucks (62% of those submitted and 74% of those approved) reached the Kerem Shalom and Zikim crossings, a "drop in the ocean" of needs.
  • The average number of truckloads that entered daily during an earlier ceasefire was 630, compared to the current 1,633 trucks over 22 days.
  • The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recorded 798 Palestinian civilian killings between 27 May and 7 July, including children who were desperate to find food.
  • Child malnutrition in Gaza has surged 180% since February, with nearly 6,000 cases in June.
  • Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed, short on medicine and fuel, and emergency care is collapsing.
  • At least 12,500 patients, including many children, need urgent medical evacuation, but few are being accepted abroad.

Statistics:

  • 798: Number of Palestinian civilians killed between 27 May and 7 July by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
  • 180%: Surge in child malnutrition in Gaza since February, with nearly 6,000 cases in June.
  • 62%: Proportion of aid trucks that reached Gaza between 19 May and 14 July that were submitted to the Israeli authorities.
  • 74%: Proportion of aid trucks that reached Gaza between 19 May and 14 July that were approved for entry.
  • 12,500: Number of patients, including many children, who need urgent medical evacuation from Gaza.
  • 630: Average number of truckloads that entered Gaza daily during an earlier ceasefire.
  • 1,633: Number of aid trucks that reached Gaza between 19 May and 14 July.

Sources:

  • United Nations General Assembly resolution 46/182 (1991)
  • Remarks by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
  • Remarks by Catherine Russell, Executive Director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
  • Report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

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