United Nations, Apr 17 (IPS) – Despite a relative decline in hostilities, nearly six months after a ceasefire came into force in the occupied Palestinian territory, the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains precariously fragile. Marked by ongoing Israeli airstrikes and shelling, an ongoing blockade of humanitarian aid, and widespread displacement, the crisis has pushed most Palestinians in Gaza to the brink. Amidst the sheer scale of needs, basic services are becoming increasingly strained, and humanitarian experts warn that the situation could worsen in the coming months if continued assistance and funding are not secured.
A new report from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinians in the Near East (UNRWA) Airstrikes, shelling and shelling were confirmed to continue in several areas, including Beit Lahiya, Jabaliya, Deir al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Rafah and Burij, based on the current situation in Gaza. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (COHO)OCHA) estimates that since the outbreak of hostilities on October 7, 2023, approximately 72,315 Gazans have been killed and another 172,137 wounded.
“The scale and pattern of these actions, coupled with the large-scale displacement of Palestinians from their homes and lands in Gaza, once again reflects the ongoing broader policy of ethnic cleansing in the occupied Palestinian territory,” he said. A group of United Nations (UN) experts On 13 April. “This cycle of displacement, terror and targeted attacks serves an ultimate purpose: making life unbearable for Palestinians and permanently forcing them from their lands…Targeting areas hosting displaced civilians is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and a sobering reminder of the urgent need for international action and accountability.”
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 32 Gazans have been killed by Israeli forces in early April alone. Airstrikes, shootings and shelling are daily occurrences, with women, children, persons with disabilities, humanitarian workers and journalists routinely targeted. On 9 April, a young girl was killed by Israeli gunfire at a makeshift encampment in a crowded classroom.
“For the past 10 days, Palestinians are still being killed and injured in their homes, shelters and in the tents of displaced families, on the streets, in vehicles, in a medical facility and in a classroom,” he said. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. “Movement itself has become a life-threatening activity. Incidents of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces while walking, driving or standing outside are recorded almost every day.”
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has also confirmed that there are increasing cases of Israeli forces killing Palestinians based on their proximity to the “Yellow Line”, the border line dividing Palestinian-controlled areas of Gaza and Israeli-controlled areas. Turks said, “Targeting civilians not taking direct part in hostilities is a war crime, regardless of their proximity to deployment lines.”
On 6 April, Israeli forces fired on World Health Organization (WHO) vehicles, killing one driver. Two days later, Israeli drone strikes killed Al Jazeera journalist Mohammed Washah in Gaza City, the 294th Palestinian journalist to be killed by Israeli forces since October 7, 2023. Additionally, Israel continues to ban international journalists from entering Gaza, further exacerbating the regional decline in journalistic freedom.
“The number of journalists and humanitarian workers killed in Gaza is unprecedented, and the civilian harm is compounded as it makes reporting on the situation and responding to its humanitarian impacts life-threatening,” Turki said.
Internal displacement is particularly large-scale, with OCHA estimating that regular evacuation orders and bombardment have affected approximately 92 percent of all dwellings in the enclave, with the vast majority of affected communities being displaced multiple times. Civilians living in overcrowded, makeshift camps are disproportionately affected by insecurity, freezing temperatures, building collapses, and acute shortages of humanitarian assistance and basic services.
Humanitarian movement is severely constrained, with all UNRWA staff banned from entering the entire occupied Palestinian territory from March 2025. The agency, which has long served as a vital lifeline for Palestinians, has already deployed food parcels, flour and shelter supplies to Gaza’s borders, which could help hundreds of thousands of Gazans.
Thousands of Palestinians across the region are in urgent need of medical care as Gaza’s health system teeters on the brink of collapse, facing severe supply shortages amid an influx of injured and sick patients. Medicines are severely in short supply, and UNRWA has reported a sharp increase in cases of ectoparasitic infections such as scabies and fleas, as well as chickenpox and other skin diseases, linked to disrupted water and sanitation (WASH) services, overcrowding, and pests.
Despite these challenges, humanitarian experts have expressed hope that the situation in Gaza may improve as access barriers begin to be removed. After being closed for nearly 40 days, the vital Ziqim crossing reopened in early April, allowing nutrition and health supplies to reach northern Gaza directly. UNRWA is currently supporting more than 67,000 displaced persons in 83 collective emergency shelters, with more than 11,000 staff providing life-saving care.
UNRWA, in collaboration with WHO, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Palestine Ministry of Health, reached approximately 2,100 children under three years of age with vaccinations between 5 and 9 April. WHO and its partners are also facilitating dozens of medical evacuations through the Rafah border crossing and providing returning Gazans access to medical care, food, water and psychosocial services.
UN experts stressed that a definitive end to hostilities, expansion of security services and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance are critical in coordinating an effective return to stability in Gaza. Additionally, the experts called on the Israeli authorities to ensure the safe and dignified return of displaced persons to Gaza, as well as to lift sanctions for UNRWA operations.
“We reiterate our call on States to end Israel’s illegal occupation and ensure the immediate protection of civilians seeking shelter in displacement sites in the Gaza Strip, including by increasing vital humanitarian assistance,” the experts said. “States must comply with their legal obligations. They must end Israel’s unlawful occupation, refrain from recognizing it and withholding aid to it, and take effective measures to ensure investigation and accountability for serious violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territory.”
IPS UN Bureau Report
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