Gaza Under Siege and Bombardment: Services Collapse and Millions’ Lives Threatened
Gaza is witnessing a dangerous and unprecedented escalation, amid continued violations of the ceasefire by Israeli forces. The health and humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip is worsening, with a lack of basic medical aid, placing millions of civilians at real existential risk.
Escalating Violations
In the past 24 hours, five Palestinians were killed and others wounded as a result of direct attacks by Israeli forces in various areas of the Strip, including refugee camps and the streets of Khan Younis and Rafah. Israeli artillery also targeted agricultural lands and homes in the eastern part of the Strip.
Since the ceasefire agreement came into effect on October 11, 2025:
– Martyrs: 586
– Injuries: 1,558
– Rescues: 717
Since the beginning of the aggression on October 7, 2023:
– Martyrs: 72,037
– Injuries: 171,666
– Missing: More than 8,000
Destruction affected approximately 90% of civilian infrastructure, with reconstruction costs estimated at around $70 billion, according to the United Nations.
Health Collapse and a Call for Aid
The Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Dr. Munir al-Barsh, and the Director of the Pharmacy Department, Dr. Alaa Halas, warned of an imminent health catastrophe due to a severe shortage of medicines and medical supplies.
Shocking Health Indicators:
46% of essential medicines are unavailable.
66% of medical supplies are unavailable.
84% of laboratory and blood bank supplies have run out.
Officials noted the partial or complete cessation of treatment services, including:
– Treatment of cancer and kidney failure patients
– Emergency and primary healthcare departments
– Vital laboratory services such as blood banks and medical analyses
They added that the shortage of supplies is not merely a logistical problem, but a systematic policy implemented through the closure of crossings and the prevention of trucks from entering. This forces treatment into guesswork and increases the risk of patient deaths, especially for children, the elderly, and those in intensive care.
Double Suffering
Children with autism spectrum disorder and their families in overcrowded camps are suffering compounded trauma due to the ongoing bombardment and the lack of security and stability, in addition to the closure of rehabilitation and psychosocial support centers.
– Sudden movements and noises exacerbate panic attacks in children.
– The closure of schools and specialized centers has led to a decline in speech and communication skills.
Families face immense psychological and economic pressure to secure their daily needs.
Rejection of UNRWA’s Liquidation
Hundreds of Palestinians protested in front of the headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), rejecting attempts to liquidate the agency. They emphasized that UNRWA represents a legal right for the displaced Palestinian people and that ending its work would affect the right of return and exacerbate the suffering of refugees.
Restrictions on Media and Humanitarian Work
UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned against the continued barring of journalists and humanitarian workers from entering Gaza. He asserted that these policies dehumanize Palestinians and conceal the extent of daily violations, demanding unimpeded access to cover the human rights and humanitarian situation.
Gaza in Danger
Gaza today faces a continuous military escalation, a catastrophic health collapse, and a genuine humanitarian crisis, with the absence of effective international support. This has transformed the lives of civilians into a daily struggle for survival.
Saving what remains of human life requires urgent international intervention and the lifting of the blockade on the Gaza Strip to ensure the flow of medical and humanitarian aid and protect civilians from an imminent and irreversible catastrophe.