The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating rapidly, according to five United Nations agencies. Israel has announced its intention to step up military strikes in Gaza in an attempt to put pressure on Hamas. The UN agencies, including the World Health Organization and UNICEF, have stated that over 1.6 million people in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly are the most vulnerable demographic, and nearly half of Gaza’s population are children. The agencies have highlighted the catastrophic state of the region, emphasizing the need for international assistance and support.

This comes after a series of Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of 1,400 individuals. Israel responded with extensive air and ground bombardments, causing the deaths of 4,385 people according to Hamas authorities. As the situation in Gaza worsens, the need for humanitarian aid becomes increasingly critical.

The statement by the UN agencies coincided with the arrival of the first aid trucks from Egypt into Gaza. However, much more assistance is required to address the dire situation. The UN agencies stress that the world must do more to prevent further suffering and loss of life. They emphasize that Gaza was already facing a desperate humanitarian situation before the recent hostilities, which has now reached catastrophic levels. It is imperative that the international community takes immediate action and provides necessary aid to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.

The World Food Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United Nations Population Fund were the other three agencies that signed the statement alongside the World Health Organization and UNICEF.