GENEVA, April 29 — CJ GLOBAL
The humanitarian crisis in the (Gaza Strip) continues to deteriorate as food shortages and aid blockades persist, leading to an alarming rise in looting incidents, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
UN OCHA reported that armed individuals looted a truck in Deir al Balah and a warehouse in Gaza City, further exacerbating the already dire situation.
The agency, citing its humanitarian partners, confirmed that 16 additional community kitchens were forced to shut down over the weekend, with more expected to close in the coming days. These kitchens remain the only source of food for many residents.
The nutrition crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels. Since the start of the year, 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children have been recorded, including 1,600 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Humanitarian organizations warn that the situation is worsening, with food supplies nearly exhausted and prices skyrocketing by 1,400% compared to the ceasefire period.
Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, described Gaza as a “land of desperation”, blaming the Israeli blockade for preventing the entry of humanitarian aid and essential goods for the past 50 days. He criticized the use of **humanitarian aid as a bargaining chip, calling it a weapon of war.
The crisis deepened on March 18, when the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched airstrikes on Hamas strongholds, effectively ending the January ceasefire. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that military operations resumed after Hamas rejected US-mediated proposals. The Israeli government insists that the strikes aim to secure the release of hostages, while Hamas blames the United States for the renewed aggression.
Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to call for urgent intervention, warning that millions of civilians are at risk as food, medicine, and shelter supplies dwindle.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has already run out of food stocks, and all WFP-supported bakeries have shut down. The blockade remains the longest ban on aid since the war began in October 2023.
With no immediate resolution in sight, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains one of the most severe crises in recent history, as international pressure mounts for a ceasefire and the restoration of aid access.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is responsible for coordinating international humanitarian response efforts. Established in December 1991, OCHA aims to strengthen the international response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. It mobilizes aid, shares information, supports humanitarian efforts, and advocates for communities affected by crises. For more detailed information, you can visit the official OCHA website. OCHA+1
