Monitoring Desk
GAZA/ISLAMABAD: The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened as Israel’s blockade on aid enters its 15th day, leaving one million children struggling to survive without food, clean water, and medical supplies, according to the United Nations agencies.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has called for an immediate opening of supply routes into Gaza, warning that parents are unable to feed their children and hospitals are running out of essential medical provisions.
“We’ve run out of food, water, diapers for kids, and detergents,” said a desperate mother, identified as Reem. “What we have can barely last two to three days. What will happen to us then?”
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) Chief Philippe Lazzarini said his agency has faced relentless efforts to discredit and dismantle it amid the worsening humanitarian situation.
Meanwhile, the World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that no food has entered Gaza since March 2, with all border crossings remaining shut for both humanitarian and commercial supplies. The blockade has caused food prices to soar, with some staple items witnessing a 200% increase, making them unaffordable for most residents.
Adding to the crisis, Al Jazeera reported that Israel has drastically cut water supply to Gaza. The enclave’s main desalination plant, once producing 17 million liters of water daily, is now down to just 2 million liters due to Israeli power cuts.
Health facilities are also on the brink of collapse. “Hospitals, like the one I’m at right now, will also collapse if nothing is allowed in,” reported journalist Hind Khoudary from central Gaza.
In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have continued despite an ongoing ceasefire with Hezbollah. At least four people were killed in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon over the weekend, according to Lebanese media.
Meanwhile, human rights experts warn that Israeli abuses against Palestinian children—including detentions and psychological humiliation—will leave lasting scars. Psychiatrist Samah Jabr stated that such traumatic experiences can lead to lifelong psychological damage.
In a related development, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) has filed a lawsuit in the US against deportations of pro-Palestinian protesters under executive orders issued during Donald Trump’s presidency. The lawsuit argues that such actions violate the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech and expression.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, UN agencies and human rights organizations continue to call for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of life in Gaza.
