UN warns Gaza faces “Survival Crisis” amid total collapse and ongoing war
UN warns Gaza faces “Survival Crisis” amid total collapse and ongoing war
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that Gaza’s population—half of whom are children—is facing a “severe survival crisis” amid a total collapse of basic services and infrastructure after more than 600 days of war.
In a strongly worded statement, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the ongoing Israeli military campaign has created catastrophic living conditions across the besieged territory.
OCHA condemned what it described as a newly imposed Israeli aid distribution system, calling it inadequate, unsafe, and contrary to humanitarian principles such as neutrality and human dignity. The office said the system fails to meet even the minimum humanitarian needs and increases risks for already vulnerable civilians.
Mass displacement continues at an alarming rate. Since March 18, more than 632,000 people have been forced to flee due to ongoing military operations and repeated evacuation orders by Israeli forces. OCHA reported that 30 such orders have led to the overcrowding of hundreds of thousands in unsafe, resource-starved zones.
The health system is collapsing under the strain. Functioning medical centers are dwindling, hospitals are critically short on beds and supplies, and mortality rates—particularly among the injured and chronically ill—are rising sharply.
The UN also condemned continued attacks on humanitarian workers. Since early May, 28 aid workers have been killed—an average of one per day. The total death toll among aid staff since the war began on October 7, 2023, stands at 452, including 315 UN employees—the highest in the organization’s history in any conflict.
OCHA warned that around 700,000 women and girls face growing threats due to crumbling health and protection services and rising violence. The agency urged the international community to take immediate action to protect civilians, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, and establish safe corridors for aid delivery in accordance with international humanitarian law.
