For weeks, Rafah in the Gaza Strip was a lifeline for desperate residents seeking aid and food. However, Israeli forces’ incursion into the city has closed off main crossings, leaving Rafah in a dire situation. Bakeries and malnutrition treatment centers have shut down, while prices for basic necessities have skyrocketed. Families are struggling to make their limited supplies last, with many facing empty sacks of flour and dwindling resources.
International aid officials and health experts have warned of a looming famine in Gaza unless barriers to humanitarian aid are lifted. The situation has worsened as fuel shortages impact hospitals and aid operations, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee to areas with little water or medical care. The lack of essential items entering Gaza has put the entire population at risk, with even basic necessities becoming scarce.
Despite calls to withdraw from Rafah and halt the offensive, Israel insists on defeating Hamas and dismantling their infrastructure. Aid agencies have criticized Israel for restricting aid and imposing security measures that delay the delivery of essential supplies. The International Criminal Court has been urged to investigate the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
Aid officials emphasize the urgent need for increased aid to prevent widespread death from starvation and disease. While some food has arrived through northern crossings, the closure of southern crossings has led to severe shortages and price hikes. With the war leaving many Gazans unable to afford basic necessities, the risk of starvation is growing.
Residents are struggling to cope with limited resources and rising prices, with malnourished individuals particularly vulnerable to diseases in an environment lacking proper sanitation and healthcare. The need for immediate and sustained aid is crucial to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.