Humanitarian aid trucks, numbering approximately 120, have reportedly crossed into Gaza from Israel for distribution.

Humanitarian aid trucks, numbering approximately 120, have reportedly crossed into Gaza from Israel for distribution.

In the heart of the ongoing conflict, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains dire, with critical shortages of food and medical supplies causing immense suffering and deaths. Despite some aid trucks entering Gaza since crossings reopened in late May, the scale of aid flow is insufficient compared to the needs, and most of the population remains dependent on emergency food assistance.

For more than four months until mid-July, aid was banned from entering Gaza, leading to increased deaths among Palestinians trying to source food outside regular aid channels. The blockage has been a source of controversy, with private aid hubs supported by US-Israeli interests linked to deadly incidents, such as an Israeli military incident on 14 July that killed two people seeking food at one such site.

Over 2 million people in Gaza are fully reliant on food assistance, with one-third of the population not eating for days. The whole under-five population (more than 320,000 children) faces severe risk due to malnutrition and hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 48.5 million pounds of food aid since border crossings reopened on 21 May, but this addresses only a fraction of the required 135+ million pounds monthly.

WFP trucks face significant bottlenecks and delays at border crossings—only two crossings are operational—which limits the volume of aid. Trucks often wait up to 46 hours for clearance and face lengthy, difficult journeys inside Gaza due to checkpoints and damaged roads. Crowding of civilians near routes further complicates aid distribution.

While no official famine has been declared, experts and international bodies warn that famine is imminent in Gaza. Since October 2023, at least 147 deaths from hunger have been reported, including 88 children, with the situation described as "catastrophic hunger."

The international community is applying growing pressure on Israel to lift or ease the blockade to ensure safe, stable, and sufficient humanitarian access across Gaza. The United Nations and human rights officials are urging action to end the blockade and occupation, warning that countries failing to leverage their influence may be complicit in international crimes. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for immediate humanitarian pauses and access to facilitate aid delivery.

Israel has announced a "tactical pause" in fighting for humanitarian purposes, and COGAT specified that 180 additional trucks have entered Gaza and are now awaiting reception and distribution. However, many humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza have reported facing constraints and restrictions that prevent them from responding to the humanitarian crisis effectively.

The UN and many international NGOs had warned of a surge in child malnutrition in Gaza and a risk of generalized famine among its more than two million inhabitants. UN teams on the ground will do their best to reach as many starving people as possible, but the challenges are immense. Three Jordanian and Emirati planes dropped 25 tons of aid on the Palestinian territory, and regular reception and distribution by UN agencies and international organizations will allow more aid to be delivered.

However, it's crucial to remember that a few trucks of aid will not repair the damage already caused to children who have endured months of famine. The international community must continue to press Israel to address the root causes of the crisis and ensure sustainable solutions for the people of Gaza.

[1] Source: The New York Times [2] Source: World Food Programme [3] Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs [4] Source: United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

1. Science must delve into the implications of critical shortages of food and medical supplies in the Gaza Strip on chronic diseases and health-and-wellness.
2. The workplace-wellness sector should anticipate increased demand for therapies-and-treatments related to medical-conditions arising from food scarcity and malnutrition.
3. Environmental-science experts could examine the effects of climate change on the agricultural industry, and thus, food production in regions experiencing conflict, like Gaza.
4. The finance industry should consider the investment opportunities in manufacturing sustainable food alternatives for crisis-affected areas such as Gaza.
5. Nutrition plays a crucial role in countering the severe risk faced by Gaza's under-five population due to malnutrition and hunger.
6. Fitness-and-exercise programs can improve the overall health-and-wellness of people in Gaza, particularly in the face of increased medical-conditions.
7. Autoimmune-disorders, triggered by malnutrition, may raise concerns as the population's health in Gaza deteriorates further.
8. With next-to-none access to medical care, the diagnosing and managing of neurological-disorders in Gaza poses significant challenges.
9. The digital age offers potential solutions for delivering healthcare services, like telemedicine, to address medical-conditions in inaccessible regions like Gaza.
10. In the midst of the crisis, Medicare and insurance providers can offer flexible coverage to help address the mounting medical bills.
11. CBD products, known for their potential medicinal benefits, could offer relief to the growing numbers of people suffering from various medical-conditions in Gaza.
12. The climate crisis impacts health in diverse ways, subjecting people to respiratory-conditions, digestive-health issues, and eye-health problems—aspects of health in Gaza that require urgent attention.
13. The hearing community should focus on avenues for providing affordable hearing aids or treatments to those in crisis-stricken regions such as Gaza.
14. As part of their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, venture-capital firms could invest in sustainable agriculture projects to combat the food crisis in Gaza.
15. The wealth-management sector can educate investors on the opportunities in impact investing, where investments are made in companies operating in crisis zones like Gaza that focus on addressing essential needs.
16. The home-and-garden industry can explore ways to help people in Gaza grow their own food more efficiently and sustainably given scarce resources.
17. With the growing need for safe and secure access to food, cybersecurity measures for supply chains become increasingly important.
18. Lifestyle choices, such as adopting a plant-based diet for the prevention of certain medical-conditions, can be promoted in Gaza to aid everyday health and wellness.
19. Fashion-and-beauty brands can exhibit social responsibility by donating a portion of their profits to aid organizations working in regions like Gaza.
20. Food-and-drink companies, particularly those specializing in nutrition-rich products, can consider expanding their presence in crisis zones like Gaza.
21. Personal-finance advisors can work with Gaza residents to help them manage their limited financial resources during the ongoing crisis.
22. Banking-and-insurance institutions can extend loans with reasonable interest rates to small businesses in Gaza, helping them recover and build resilience.
23. Fintech can be leveraged to facilitate financial transactions in Gaza, making it easier for people to access funds and support businesses in crisis zones.
24. Real-estate developers can focus on affordable housing solutions to accommodate the growing number of Palestinians in need.
25. The stock-market provides an opportunity for average people to invest in companies making significant contributions to improving the plight of crisis-affected areas like Gaza.
26. Private-equity firms can empower businesses in Gaza by providing capital for infrastructure development, job creation, and advanced agricultural practices.
27. The growing prevalence of technology in everyday life could offer opportunities for digital literacy programs to help people in Gaza adapt and connect in a crisis environment.
28. Artificial-intelligence can be harnessed to optimize relief efforts, like analyzing real-time data to inform decision-making about resource distribution and aid allocation in regions like Gaza.

Read also: