Israel has announced plans to cease or significantly reduce humanitarian aid to northern Gaza, including Gaza City, as its military offensive against Hamas intensifies, the Associated Press reported, citing an official. This decision follows the declaration of Gaza City as a “combat zone” by Israeli authorities. The move is expected to worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in the region.
An anonymous Israeli official confirmed that airdrops over Gaza City will cease in the coming days, and the number of aid trucks entering the northern part of the Gaza Strip will be reduced. This shift is part of preparations to evacuate hundreds of thousands of residents southward. The United Nations has warned that such a mass displacement is unmanageable due to the widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and severe shortages of food, water, shelter, and medical care.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has also expressed grave concerns, stating that a mass evacuation of Gaza City is “impossible” under current conditions. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric emphasised that such an evacuation would trigger a massive population movement that no area in the Gaza Strip can absorb. She described the situation as “incomprehensible” and warned that it would put residents at significant risk.
In the past week, over 23,000 people have fled Gaza City, seeking refuge in the southern parts of the Gaza Strip. However, many displaced individuals report that there is no safe place to go, and conditions in the south are equally dire. Residents in areas like Deir Al-Balah have expressed concerns about the lack of food and safe drinking water.
The humanitarian crisis has been further worsened by the suspension of daytime pauses in fighting, which previously allowed for aid delivery. The United Nations and other humanitarian organisations have stated that these pauses and airdrops have been insufficient to meet the daily aid needs of Gaza’s population.
As the situation continues to deteriorate, international calls for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian assistance have intensified. The global community remains deeply concerned about the escalating conflict and its devastating impact on civilians in Gaza.
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With inputs from Associated Press
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