Gaza is on the brink of a catastrophic famine, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warning that the humanitarian crisis has escalated beyond disaster levels. Adnan Abu Hasna, a media advisor for UNRWA, stated that the agency's warehouses are now completely empty, and the situation is dire for the 2.5 million residents of the Gaza Strip. "Today, Israel is blocking everything: food, medicine, fuel, water, even critical vaccines against diseases like polio and cholera," he explained, highlighting the severity of the restrictions imposed since the onset of the Israeli military assault on October 7, 2023.
With warehouses depleted and crossings sealed, humanitarian organizations have confirmed that food stocks in Gaza have been exhausted. Bakeries have shut down due to a lack of flour and cooking fuel, while tens of thousands face starvation, as the population has relied on humanitarian assistance for survival even before this crisis. "For the first time in the agency’s history, it is nearing a second month with no humanitarian supplies entering Gaza," Abu Hasna remarked, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the current situation.
Founded in 1949, UNRWA has been a crucial lifeline for approximately 5.9 million Palestinian refugees across the region, including those in Gaza. However, the agency now finds itself unable to fulfill its mission, with Abu Hasna stating that, "UNRWA no longer has any supplies to distribute." The World Food Program has also reported a complete depletion of resources, further exacerbating the crisis.
As the humanitarian disaster unfolds, international appeals for action have gone largely ignored. "Despite continued international calls and pressure, there has been no meaningful action on the ground," Abu Hasna lamented. He emphasized that the entire global humanitarian system is being tested. "If the world fails to act to uphold basic human rights and save millions in Gaza, we will have lost the very foundations of the humanitarian system we claim to operate under," he warned.
The situation is further complicated by ongoing military actions. Since the conflict began, Gaza’s Ministry of Health has reported that more than 52,000 Palestinians have been killed and approximately 118,000 injured, with many trapped under rubble and unreachable by rescue teams. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the blockade that has prevented even the most basic supplies from entering the territory.
Last Friday, April 25, 2025, Hamas issued a statement warning that the humanitarian disaster created by the Israeli occupation had escalated to dangerous levels. They stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that famine is not a looming threat—it is already here, with horrifying scenes of widespread hunger visible across the Strip.
In a press statement, UNRWA confirmed, "there is a complete collapse in living conditions, and famine will strike the Gaza Strip in the coming days." This dire prediction underscores the immediate need for international intervention. Abu Hasna concluded by stating, "The responsibility now lies with the international community. Urgent, forceful action is needed to ensure the entry of essential supplies. Lives are at immediate risk, and we are witnessing its deadly consequences every day."
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza presents a critical moment for the world, as the values and principles of international humanitarian law are being put to the test. With the global community watching, the call for action has never been more urgent.
