The 20-month-long war since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023 has created the most serious crisis in Gaza so far. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid said on Friday that the current situation is extremely critical due to continuous bomb attacks, malnutrition, displacement of large numbers of civilians and lack of public security.

According to the office, five vehicles carrying relief supplies sent by the United Nations and its partner organizations were allowed to enter Gaza for the first time four days later. But most of the medicinal materials taken to a hospital in Deir al-Balah were stolen, according to the media. Some armed groups entered the hospital on Friday and looted the medicine and equipment kept for children's nutrition.

60 vehicles carrying relief materials for the area around Kerem Shalom crossing had to turn back due to the conflict. According to the spokesperson of the Secretary General of the United Nations, the situation is becoming more complicated due to the increasing activities of armed groups in the "No Man's Land" area around the border. 

According to the UN, the health and food crisis in Gaza has reached its peak as supplies have been cut off for nearly 80 days. The limited amount of material entering Gaza is not enough to meet the demands of the people living there. The UN is mentioning that the relief is insufficient to meet the basic needs of about 2.1 million people. 

The United Nations and its partner organizations are trying to provide the necessary assistance to Gaza despite various difficulties. But after Israel restricts the amount and type of relief materials entering Gaza and tightens the blockade, the risk of Gazans dying due to starvation is increasing. 

displacement, food shortages and the situation of looting 

In the last two weeks, nearly two million civilians have been displaced in Gaza. The Israeli administration is said to have recently ordered the evacuation of about 30 percent of Gaza. However, most of the locals here are wandering, changing places in search of food and other essentials. Although the United Nations is distributing emergency housing construction materials as relief in some areas, it is not enough. In recent days, as public security in Gaza has weakened, it has been found that robbery cases have increased. 

The UN urges Israel to shoulder the responsibility of ensuring public security in Gaza and says it is necessary to stop crimes in a peaceful and legal manner. In addition, it said that it is also necessary to open checkpoints to deliver sufficient relief materials, food and essential items to Gaza. It is reported that the health, education and livelihood of about 90,000 locals have been seriously affected due to the movement control imposed by the Israeli security forces in the Salfit area. Residents of that area have to travel long distances, causing increased travel expenses and difficulty in daily life. The United Nations has emphasized that all parties must cooperate to provide the basic needs of the general public in a safe and uninterrupted manner. 

The United Nations has expressed regret over the theft of medical supplies. A group of attackers attacked hospital warehouses and destroyed large quantities of medical equipment, supplies, medicine and nutritional materials, said Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The stolen aid arrived in war-torn Gaza just last Thursday. As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, public order and security arrangements have weakened. Dujarric said, "The attack on the hospital on Friday was carried out by armed groups." He also noted that the aid available so far is only a "drop in the ocean" for Gaza's needs, as the blockade has led to shortages of food and medicine. The UN's humanitarian aid coordination body warned on Friday that 100 percent of Gaza's population is at risk of famine.