UN warns of dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Lebanon amid ongoing conflict

The Director of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, Giorgio Petropoulus, has warned that there is no safe “humanitarian zone” in the region, noting that any location could be targeted at any moment amid an intensifying humanitarian crisis and blockade.

The UN official emphasized the severe delays in aid distribution in Gaza, stating, “At this rate, it will take four years to distribute tents to those in need,” highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis, which has worsened with the closure of the last two bakeries in Gaza, raising serious concerns about food shortages and growing hunger.

In a recent joint statement, leaders of several UN organizations, including UNICEF and the World Food Programme, described the situation in northern Gaza as “catastrophic,” with residents facing imminent risk of death due to a lack of food, the spread of disease, and ongoing violence.

In a related development, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it has formally notified the United Nations of its decision to cancel the agreement that has governed its relationship with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) since 1967. This move could impact aid support for refugees in the region.

Meanwhile, in Lebanon, the death toll from continued Israeli airstrikes has risen to 3,002, with around 13,492 people injured, according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health. This escalation reflects the severe military confrontations occurring in southern Lebanon since the attacks began.

In light of these events, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati announced that the government would discuss practical steps in its next session to implement a plan to recruit 1,500 new soldiers for the Lebanese army. This initiative aims to strengthen Lebanese forces along the southern border and the Blue Line, which separates Lebanon and Israel, amidst escalating security threats.

The rising civilian death toll, especially due to the ongoing strikes on infrastructure and residential areas in southern Lebanon, continues to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis faced by the Lebanese people.