Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Urgency for a Global Response

Despite headlines, vicious military strikes are not the only attacks plaguing Gaza’s people. While drones and missiles steal the attention of political leaders, Gaza’s population continues to fight its widespread, long-lasting humanitarian crisis. Between mass food shortages, rising disease rates, and depleting access to health care, Gaza and its citizens are seemingly on their way to ultimate catastrophe, if they have not reached it yet. That is unless humanitarian aid can intervene to restore humanity and health within the Strip. 

While the recent war between Israel and Hamas has certainly exacerbated Gaza’s humanitarian disaster, it is not the primary cause of the crisis. In 2007, the Gaza Strip fell victim to the power of Hamas - an Islamist militant group that has now been designated a terrorist group by the United States and the EU. Following this, the Gaza Strip was essentially isolated from the rest of Palestine by Hamas, creating a blockade that has led to Gaza’s social deterioration. Hamas currently controls regions in Palestine while rejecting the existence of Israel, leading to Hamas’ first attack that notoriously began the war almost a year ago, in October 2023. 

Despite humanitarian aid efforts attempting to prevail in the wake of the war, “Attacks on humanitarian aid workers and shelters, as well as strikes on or near health and humanitarian facilities, continue,” a UN article states. Evidently, the violence inflicted on aid workers has made progress in the crisis difficult. Additionally, coordination and notification methods seemingly lack effectiveness, and security in Gaza limits what aid workers can do without being put at extreme, mortal risk. 

So what is the solution for Gaza? Experts have noted that even if/when the war with Israel comes to an end, the amount of humanitarian crisis relief work that needs to be done on the ground is immense. It seems evident, from both sides, that a ceasefire agreement needs to be implemented to ensure the lives of both innocent Palestinians and Israelis do not continue to be lost in war. International mediators cannot fear getting involved in such conversations, as they are the key to resolving violent tensions. For example, in 2014, a ceasefire agreement between the two actors, brokered by Egypt, resulted in halting violence that provided a platform to rebuild and fund on-the-ground aid to innocent civilians. Additionally, Rafah’s border crossing, an essential path in and out of Gaza, continues to remain blocked off; it is a key entry point for humanitarian relief resources to offer aid and needs to be reopened for organizations to provide necessary support. Additionally, in times of crisis, humanitarian corridors have been used to provide civilians with essentials such as food, water, and medicine - the border crossing is a prime location for such transports. 

While these offer quick solutions, the true, sustainable solution is seemingly political. The amount of aid required at this point for Gaza necessitates more than just a humanitarian corridor or a two-week ceasefire. Instead, leaders' political will is essential in the coming weeks to ensure Gaza’s survival.