Humanitarian Aid Blocked in Gaza Amid Fuel Shortages and Escalating Crises
Limited Humanitarian Access in Gaza
On Thursday, only 10 out of 21 planned humanitarian aid movements were approved by Israeli authorities. Seven were denied, three faced obstacles, and one was canceled due to logistical and security difficulties, according to UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric during a Friday briefing in New York.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) raised alarms over the dire impact of dwindling fuel supplies on essential services in Gaza. Palestinian telecommunication providers warned that fuel shortages could lead to service shutdowns as early as Saturday.
Hospitals on the Brink
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported Friday that Al Awda Hospital, the last partially functional hospital in North Gaza, is critically running low on fuel and essential medical supplies. The hospital has been overwhelmed with patients, as the region—including Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun, and the Jabalya refugee camps—has faced a siege for over three months.
Conditions further deteriorated following the forced closure of Kamal Adwan and Indonesian hospitals in northern Gaza due to attacks, raids, and forced evacuations. Efforts to replenish supplies at Al Awda and assess damage at Kamal Adwan have been hampered by impassable roads and restricted access imposed by Israeli authorities.
UN officials called for urgent action to restore road access and ensure humanitarian aid reaches these beleaguered medical facilities.
Rising Violence in the West Bank
Escalation in violence continues in the West Bank, with OCHA reporting that Israeli forces killed three Palestinians, including one child, and injured 38 others in the region during the first week of the year. Israeli settlers injured 18 Palestinians, including nine in Silwad, while armed Palestinians killed three Israeli settlers and injured eight others near Qalqiliya.
Over 50 Palestinians in the West Bank have already been displaced due to home demolitions this year, particularly in Silwan, East Jerusalem. In the Jenin refugee camp, prolonged clashes between Palestinian Authority security forces and militant factions have heavily restricted access, leaving over 3,400 people amidst worsening conditions, while 2,000 families have been displaced to Jenin city.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and OCHA are coordinating efforts to meet the urgent needs of affected families both inside and outside the camp.
Lebanon: $30 Million Allocated for War Victims
In Lebanon, $30 million has been allocated from the Lebanon Humanitarian Fund to respond to the aftermath of the recent conflict. The UN’s Humanitarian Coordinator, Imran Riza, emphasized the destruction of civilian infrastructure and the crippling of essential services, including healthcare, water, and sanitation, due to heavy fighting between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Although a ceasefire is now in place, the humanitarian toll remains severe. The funding will address food security, shelter, nutrition, healthcare, and education while prioritizing local, community-driven responses to support the most vulnerable populations.
A Humanitarian Call to Action
As multiple crises unfold across Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon, UN officials stress the urgent need for unimpeded humanitarian access, restoration of critical infrastructure, and increased international support to protect vulnerable communities and alleviate human suffering.
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