OCHA: Bombardment and blockade deepen needs in Gaza  

29 April 2025

OCHA reports that hostilities continue unabated across the Gaza Strip, causing further civilian casualties, widespread destruction and mass displacement.

OCHA reiterates that under international humanitarian law, civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, not targeted.

In addition to the ongoing bombardment, repeated displacement orders have forced many families to flee, disrupted access to essential services and hampered humanitarian operations. Partners working in health report that immunization services at 13 delivery points were interrupted due to these displacement orders.

The total Israeli blockade on Gaza, now nearing two months, continues to prevent the entry of humanitarian aid and commercial goods. Critical supplies – including food – are running out, pushing more than 2 million people deeper into hunger.

UNICEF warns that children in Gaza are being denied routine vaccinations due to relentless hostilities, forced displacement and the aid blockade.

Humanitarian partners report that access to essential healthcare remains extremely limited for people across Gaza, particularly the most vulnerable groups. For instance, more than 150,000 women are at risk or living with serious conditions, such as hypertension or cancer, without adequate medical support.

The fuel situation is rapidly deteriorating. With accessible benzene nearly depleted and diesel reserves critically low, remaining fuel is being prioritized for health, water, sanitation and telecommunications services to sustain life-saving operations.

Humanitarian partners have made repeated attempts to retrieve fuel from areas that are currently inaccessible – either because they are under active displacement orders or located in “no-go” zones that require humanitarians to coordinate with Israeli authorities. However, efforts to access these areas are routinely denied.

Just today, the Israeli authorities denied an attempt by UN agencies to retrieve fuel from Rafah.

Overall, the UN and its partners attempted five coordinated movements today, but four of them were denied. The only exception was related to staff rotation, not deliveries.

Despite these challenges, humanitarian partners across the Gaza Strip continue to reach people as access allows, using the limited supplies that remain.

Over the past week, in Gaza governorate, OCHA and its humanitarian partners conducted assessments in four displacement sites that were hit by air strikes. They provided cash assistance to at least 140 families in these sites.

Farther south, in Khan Younis, humanitarian partners mobilized assistance for another displacement site in the Mawasi area, distributing tarpaulins and shelter kits to affected families. Families at this site have been referred to partners to provide them with urgent cash assistance. Other partners working in health carried out an assessment and are now mobilizing psychosocial support, particularly for children.

Response efforts are ongoing, but without the immediate reopening of crossings, the entry of both humanitarian and commercial supplies, and the reinstatement of a permanent ceasefire, these efforts cannot be sustained.