Trickle of aid enters Gaza as Israel ramps up airstrikes and Palestinian deaths keep mounting
At least 35 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured since Israel launched its bombardment of Gaza on Monday in response to Hamas rocket fire. The hostilities, which have now entered their sixth day, show no signs of stopping, despite multiple US calls for de-escalation.
In the midst of the violence, a trickle of humanitarian aid has been allowed into Gaza from Israel and neighboring countries, such as Qatar and Egypt. The supplies include medical aid for hospitals, fuel for electricity, and food for those in need.
However, critics argue that the aid is too little, too late as the death toll rises and hundreds of Gazans have been displaced from their homes due to the airstrikes. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, more than 1,900 Palestinians have been injured, including 500 children.
Aid organizations, such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, have indicated that they are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and are doing all they can to prevent further loss of life. They have also voiced criticism of Israel’s airstrikes, saying that such tactics directly target civilians and break international law.
The UN has also pointed out that the blockade of Gaza imposed by Israel has been a major source of the humanitarian crisis in the region, by preventing the export of goods and the travel of people in and out of Gaza.
At this time, it is unclear when the violence will end and whether enough humanitarian aid will be allowed in to reverse the humanitarian crisis.