The Gaza Strip is undergoing the most catastrophic situation since the outbreak of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on Oct 7, 2023, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, said on Friday.
Dujarric said at a regular press conference that the aid supplies allowed into the Gaza Strip have only played a very small role considering the rapidly deteriorating state of affairs.
"Our colleagues from the Office of the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs tell us that the catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began, and the limited amount of aid entering the Strip is nowhere near sufficient to support the 2.1 million people in desperate need of assistance. As conditions on the ground further deteriorate, pubic order and safety breaks down, looting incidents continue to be reported," said the spokesman.
Israel re-blockaded the Gaza Strip and resumed large-scale military operations in March, dragging local people into a serious shortage of basic living supplies and famine. Under pressure from international public opinion, Israel allowed a small amount of aid to enter Gaza last week, but distribution of supplies faced numerous difficulties.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a private aid agency supported by Israel and the United States, has recently begun operations. However, media reports said that the agency's distribution centers in many parts of Gaza are in chaos.
Gaza undergoing most catastrophic situation since conflict began: UN chief spokesman
