Gaza’s nightmare: Aid cut off, two million Palestinians struggle to survive

According to a new article, The New York Times features that Gaza is in the midst of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe. More than two months have passed since Israel severed all aid and supplies to the region, leaving nearly two million Palestinians - many of them children - facing starvation. 

With food, fuel, and medicine running dangerously low, relief organizations warn that the situation is rapidly worsening, pushing the territory to the brink of collapse.

At makeshift clinics run by American Near East Refugee Aid, signs of severe malnutrition are becoming increasingly prevalent. In the past 10 days, lab technicians detected ketones—an indicator of starvation—in one-third of urine samples tested. This marks the first time such cases have been recorded in significant numbers since testing began in October 2024. Essential supplies such as food, fuel, and medicine are either exhausted or running dangerously low.

This marks the longest and most intense siege Gaza has faced during the conflict. Israeli officials are openly exploiting humanitarian aid as a weapon, stating their intent to use starvation as leverage to pressure Hamas into releasing hostages, a move many view as a violation of international law. Palestinians fear this could be part of a broader strategy to expel them from Gaza, with aid organizations warning that Palestinians may soon face "de facto internment conditions."

The Israeli blockade, compounded by excessive security measures and constant delays, is not merely a logistical issue—it is a deliberate system of deprivation. Aid shipments, which briefly resumed in January, were once again cut off in March, exacerbating the crisis. Despite calls from international leaders for the immediate resumption of aid, including from President Trump and Canadian officials, action has been slow, and Israel’s military campaign continues to escalate.

Aid workers also face deadly risks. Over 400 humanitarian workers have been killed in Gaza over the past 18 months, making it the deadliest region in the world for aid workers.

The situation is dire, with calls for secure humanitarian corridors and political solutions to ensure long-term recovery. Without these measures, relief efforts will continue to be hindered, and Gaza’s future remains uncertain.

By Naila Huseynova