Humanitarian aid has finally begun to reach the people of Gaza, with the first trucks entering the enclave on Saturday. The aid was delivered through the Rafah crossing, the only entry point not controlled by Israel. Although the arrival of aid is a positive step, it is only a fraction of what is required to alleviate the suffering of the 2.2 million people living in Gaza under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. The situation in Gaza has been described as catastrophic, with hospitals on the verge of collapse and people running out of food, water, and other critical supplies. The World Health Organization has warned that the needs of the people in Gaza are far greater than the aid they have received so far. Fuel is also running dangerously low, posing a serious threat to hospitals and schools in Gaza.
World leaders gathered in Cairo, Egypt, for the Cairo Peace Summit on Saturday in an attempt to de-escalate the situation in Gaza and protect civilians. Representatives from 34 countries and the UN were in attendance. On Friday, two American hostages were released from Gaza, the first since Hamas carried out deadly attacks on October 7. However, there are still reports that 210 people are being held hostage in Gaza. The release of the hostages has been welcomed by world leaders, but some in Israel are skeptical of Hamas’ motivations and stress the need to continue their counterattack. The situation in Gaza is becoming more dire each day, and the international community must work together to provide the necessary aid and bring about a peaceful resolution.
The civilian death toll in Gaza continues to rise, fueling anger not only in the Middle East but also in other parts of the world. The recent war has further isolated Gaza, a territory that has been under a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt for the past 17 years. The blackout and ban on fuel imports have had devastating consequences on the healthcare system and access to clean water. About 1.4 million people in Gaza have been displaced, accounting for over 60% of the territory’s population. More than half a million people are staying in emergency shelters in dire conditions, putting them at risk of infectious diseases due to unsafe water. While the arrival of aid through the Rafah crossing is a positive development, it is far from sufficient to address the scale of the crisis. The international community must work together to ensure a continuous and reliable flow of aid to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of its population.
