OCHA: Conditions in Gaza deteriorate as hostilities continue

08 July 2025

OCHA warns that as attention turns to news of what is hoped will be a possible ceasefire, the already catastrophic conditions on the ground in Gaza are deteriorating even further. Humanitarian teams continue to receive reports of tents, schools, homes and medical facilities coming under attack, with scores of people killed or injured every day.

OCHA warns that the fuel crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point. What little fuel remains is already being used to power the most essential operations – such as intensive care units and water desalination – but those supplies are running out fast, and there are virtually no additional accessible stocks left.

Hospitals are rationing. Ambulances are stalling. Water systems are on the brink. The deaths this is likely causing could soon increase sharply unless the Israeli authorities allow new fuel in – urgently, regularly and in sufficient quantities.

Today, the Israeli authorities issued yet another displacement order for parts of Khan Younis – specifically ordering the displacement of those staying in tents. An initial review of a map published with the order suggests it also includes areas that have not been subject to displacement orders since before the last ceasefire, which ended in March.

OCHA notes that even the smaller areas where people are being forced to concentrate – now down to about 15 per cent of the Strip and shrinking – are fragmented and lack the most basic infrastructure and services. Like the rest of Gaza, they remain extremely unsafe. Across the Strip, families are trying to survive this nightmare, protect their children to the extent possible, and search for whatever minimal food exists.

The issuance of a displacement order does not relieve any party from the imperative to spare civilians, including those who are unwilling or unable to leave.

Yesterday, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for the protection of Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, warning that the hospital is overwhelmed with trauma injuries – double its capacity – and has effectively turned into one large trauma ward. WHO said that many of the patients are coming from areas where people are being shot at while trying to access food.

In a video message from the hospital, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO’s representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said the facility is running critically low on trauma supplies, essential medicines, equipment and fuel. He also noted that staff are exhausted.

OCHA reports that humanitarian movements inside Gaza remain heavily restricted. Yesterday, out of 12 attempts to coordinate such movements with the Israeli authorities, only four were fully facilitated – and just one of those involved the delivery of supplies. Another four attempts were denied outright, blocking efforts to evacuate patients, recover broken trucks or remove debris. The remaining four were initially approved but then faced impediments on the ground, ultimately undermining humanitarian teams’ ability to carry out their missions as planned.