OCHA: Deadly hostilities, supply shortages deepen civilian suffering in Gaza

29 April 2025

OCHA says ongoing Israeli attacks in Gaza have reportedly killed or injured scores of Palestinians in recent days and damaged civilian infrastructure.

OCHA stresses once again that under international humanitarian law, civilians – including aid workers – must be protected.

Humanitarian operations continue to be severely constrained due to the ongoing military operations, as well as the blockade of aid and commercial goods, which become total more than eight weeks ago. As stocks dwindle, partners are doing everything possible to reach people with whatever supplies are still available.

Partners report that over the weekend, 16 additional community kitchens had to close, despite their efforts to adjust menus, reduce portions or mobilize support from the community. More kitchens are expected to close this week as they run out of supplies. People in Gaza rely on these meals as their only consistent source of food assistance. Last week, the World Food Programme announced the depletion of its stocks, warning it would force kitchens to close within days.

OCHA reiterates that Israel, as the occupying power, has clear obligations under international law, which include ensuring food, medical supplies and public health services are available, and facilitating humanitarian relief when these are not otherwise supplied.

Meanwhile, there has been an increase in reports of looting incidents, amid the desperate humanitarian situation and lack of commodities. Over the weekend, armed individuals reportedly looted a truck in Deir al Balah and a warehouse in Gaza city.

As more than 2 million people face severe food shortages, the UN and its partners say the latest famine review analysis by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) started this week.

Across Gaza, humanitarian partners warn that the nutrition situation is worsening. Since the start of the year, about 10,000 cases of acute malnutrition among children have been identified, including 1,600 cases of severe acute malnutrition. Although treatment supplies remain available in southern Gaza, operational and security restrictions make efforts to access them extremely challenging.

Meanwhile, thousands more families are estimated to have fled in response to another displacement order issued by Israeli forces on Friday for western areas of Gaza governorate.

Partners supporting water, sanitation and hygiene services report that while they continue to provide water through more than a dozen distribution points, there has been a 20 per cent reduction in water production over the past three weeks due to fuel being inaccessible or located in hard-to-reach areas, which is affecting extraction from groundwater wells.

In April, partners distributed about 1,000 hygiene kits and installed some 50 latrines. However, these quantities fall far short of what is needed, given that half of Gaza’s population lacks safe sanitation facilities. Meanwhile, there are thousands of latrines awaiting entry outside of Gaza.

OCHA stresses that the depletion of critical stocks in Gaza goes beyond food. One example is trauma-related medical supplies, which are running out at a time when the number of people injured in mass casualty incidents continues to increase. There is a lack of surgical supplies, including gowns, drapes and gloves. The World Health Organization’s warehouse has run out of therapeutic milk, intravenous antibiotics and painkillers, as well as spare parts for ambulances and oxygen stations.

Humanitarian partners also warn that an increasing number of critical staff are being denied access to Gaza. There has been an increase in denials of entry for emergency medical teams, particularly highly specialized professionals – including orthopedic and plastic surgeons – and a restriction of movement across Gaza. Partners report that since the collapse of the ceasefire, two in every three entry applications for such personnel have been denied by the Israeli authorities.

Meanwhile, last week’s displacement orders affected learning for more than 2,500 students and dozens of teachers. The directives also hindered access to urgently needed mental health support and recreational activities for children. Since the end of the ceasefire, more than 90,000 students and 2,000 teachers have been affected by the displacement orders.

Yesterday in Gaza governorate, OCHA and its partners carried out an assessment at a collective centre that was reportedly hit by an Israeli air strike on Friday. Nine families reported witnessing their relatives being injured, and three families said they lost their shelter and belongings. Efforts are ongoing to mobilize assistance. However, for humanitarians to be able to respond at the scale needed, the crossings into Gaza must be re-opened for the entry of aid and commercial goods.