• Israel's blockade of Gaza has led to a severe shortage of food, medicine, and fuel, resulting in widespread starvation, particularly among children, with reports of acute malnutrition cases rising dramatically.
• International aid organizations are facing significant obstacles in delivering humanitarian assistance, with restrictions on access and concerns over a new Israeli plan to control aid distribution using private contractors.
• The United Nations and aid groups are strongly criticizing Israel's actions, citing violations of international law and warning of dire consequences for the civilian population, including potential war crimes liability.

Gaza is currently experiencing a dire humanitarian emergency due to the ongoing Israeli blockade, which has been in effect for two months. This blockade has severely restricted the entry of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, leading to widespread starvation and a collapse of essential services. The situation is particularly critical for children, with malnutrition rates soaring and aid organizations struggling to provide adequate assistance. International bodies and aid groups are condemning the blockade and proposed aid distribution plans, highlighting the severe impact on the civilian population and potential violations of international law.

• What: A severe humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza due to an Israeli blockade that has restricted the entry of essential supplies, leading to widespread malnutrition, starvation, and a collapse of essential services. Israel plans to control aid distribution, a move criticized by aid organizations.
• Who: Key individuals and organizations involved include Israeli officials, Hamas, the United Nations, international aid organizations (UNRWA, World Food Programme), U.S. security contractors (Safe Reach Solutions and UG Solutions), and the civilian population of Gaza.
• When: The blockade has been in effect for two months as of early May 2025. A ceasefire in January 2025 was broken in March. The Israeli security cabinet approved the aid distribution plan on Sunday evening (early May 2025).
• Where: The crisis is centered in the Gaza Strip, with key locations including the Kerem Shalom crossing (for aid entry), hospitals like Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, and designated aid distribution hubs in the south.

The situation in Gaza is critical, with the Israeli blockade exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The planned Israeli control of aid distribution is highly controversial, raising concerns about impartiality and access for vulnerable populations. The use of private security contractors adds another layer of complexity and potential risk. The international community's rejection of the plan underscores the deep divisions and challenges in addressing the crisis. The long-term consequences of the blockade and the restrictions on aid could be devastating, leading to further societal breakdown and instability.

Israel is now openly exploiting aid as a tool of war; senior Israeli officials have declared what effectively is the intent to use starvation as a tactic to pressure Hamas to release the remaining hostages — a clear violation of international law.

"There are not starving children. I repeat again."

"It’s a joke. Sixty trucks a day are just a tactic by Israel to ease international pressure, not a real effort to address the humanitarian crisis."

The situation now is so beyond imagination, so beyond words at this point, because people are being starved, basically. These are choices that are being made to prevent supplies from entering. And it has been prolonged for two months.

Gaza is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis fueled by the Israeli blockade and restrictions on aid. While Israel claims to be addressing the needs of the Gazan population, international organizations and aid groups are raising serious concerns about the adequacy and impartiality of the proposed solutions. The long-term impact of the crisis will likely be severe, with potential consequences for regional stability and international law. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing diplomatic efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Gazan people.