Gaza/Jerusalem: The ban imposed by the Israeli army on humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip has brought the Palestinian population to the brink of starvation. According to the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations, no aid materials, such as food, water, fuel or medicines, have reached Gaza since March 2, 2025. This unprecedented blockade has left 2 million people of Gaza starving, leading to increasing incidents of looting for food and resources. Israel says that this step has been taken to enforce Hamas' demand for the release of hostages and laying down of arms. Let's look at the facts and circumstances of this crisis.
Blocking aid to Gaza: Why and how?
The war in Gaza has been going on since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel imposed a complete ban on all humanitarian aid to Gaza after a two-month ceasefire broke down in March 2025. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that aid would not be delivered until Hamas releases 58 hostages and lays down its arms.
Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN agency UNRWA, called it "collective punishment" and "political starvation." "Children in Gaza are starving. Israel's blocking of aid is inhumane," he wrote on X. Nearly 3,000 truckloads of aid have been parked at the Gaza border for more than 50 days, but Israeli authorities are not allowing them to enter.
Looting and chaos
The lack of aid has led to chaos in Gaza. People are looting warehouses and shops due to acute shortage of food, water and fuel. According to a report by Al Jazeera, clashes for food have become common in Rafah and Khan Younis. On 16 November 2024, armed gangs looted an aid convoy of UNRWA at the Kerem Shalom crossing, after which UNRWA halted aid distribution for security reasons.
UNRWA reported that 90% of the population in Gaza is facing severe food insecurity. Hospitals are closed due to lack of fuel, causing surgery and emergency services. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) warned that the lack of aid is increasing malnutrition and diseases among children.
Israel's stance
Israel says the aim of halting aid is to put pressure on Hamas. "Hamas holds 59 hostages, of whom 24 are expected to be alive. Their release and Hamas' surrender are the only way to end the war," Defense Minister Israel Katz said on April 2. Israel has intensified military operations in Gaza, recapturing more than 50% of the territory it has captured
The Israeli military also cut off power supplies, plunging Gaza into darkness. "We will use every means to destroy Hamas," Energy Minister Eli Cohen said. However, Israel recently said it would allow limited aid to be delivered through private companies to "bypass" Hamas.
Hamas' response
Hamas called the halt to aid "blackmail" and a violation of the ceasefire agreement. "This move by Israel is a conspiracy to starve the Palestinian people," a Hamas spokesman said. Hamas has sought intervention from mediators such as Egypt and Qatar. On April 15, Hamas accepted the terms of a 45-day ceasefire and aid entry, but called Israel's demand for disarmament a "red line".
International reaction
The United Nations has strongly condemned Israel's blockade. "The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. It is a complete blockade," said OCHA chief Jonathan Whittall. The US supported Israel's decision to halt aid, but Egypt proposed a plan to rebuild Gaza that calls for creating a safe zone without displacing Palestinians.
Users on X have described the crisis as a "genocide in Gaza". "Israel is weaponising hunger. This is a crime against humanity," wrote one user.
Situation and impact
Deaths and injuries: More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed and 1.13 lakh injured in Gaza since 7 October 2023. 800 more deaths have occurred since March 2025.
- Displacement: 80% of Gaza's population is displaced, and families trapped in Rafah are unable to access the Red Cross.
- Aid worker deaths: 399 aid workers have been killed in the war, including 289 UN staff.
Conclusion
The Israeli blockade has pushed Gaza deeper into a humanitarian crisis. Cases of starvation and looting reflect the desperation of the Palestinian population. Ceasefire talks between Hamas and Israel are resuming, but the urgent need for aid remains. Calls for a solution to the crisis are growing for the international community, but only time will tell whether the people of Gaza will see relief soon.
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