Following the major attack on 7 October into Israeli-controlled territory from Gaza by the military wing of Hamas, the government of Israel launched a military operation which it describes as a defensive war, with the stated goal being the complete elimination of Hamas. It has comprised intense airstrikes and choking of humanitarian resources.
The number of fatalities in Gaza surpassed 30,000 on 27 February, Day 145 of the humanitarian catastrophe (why data from Gaza MoH is to be considered overall credible). At least two thirds are likely civilians. Critical shortages of food, water and medical care have been leading to starvation and disease. Over 60% of housing units have been damaged. The 1.7 million displaced persons are now overwhelmingly concentrated in Rafah, a 64 km2 region in the south of Gaza bordering Egypt.
The area of the Gaza Strip is 365 km2 − less than half the size of New York City. Since the 2007 Fatah-Hamas split, Israel and Egypt have continuously imposed a severe blockade of people and goods.
After the indication of provisional measures to Israel regarding humanitarian access by the International Court of Justice in January, humanitarian access continued to be impeded, leading foreign states to minimally supplement ground deliveries by airdrops. In late January, the Israeli state propagated accusations against UNRWA (the main provider of humanitarian relief to Gaza) regarding its supposed role in the 7 October attack − which have emerged as unsubstantiated. 12 governments − including the US, Germany and the EU, which are its three largest contributors (2022) − suspended funding to UNRWA. As of 10 March, the European Commission, Sweden and Canada have reinstated funding. The combined 2022 contributions from the governments that initially suspended funds amount to 75% of pledges from government partners.
UNRWA is critical to humanitarian relief for the people of Gaza. The humanitarian situation is dire.
The charity World Central Kitchen is leading maritime food deliveries to Gaza in the absence of adequate access by land. As of 16 March, its rate of delivery (~200 t per ship on a continuing basis) is exceeding that of US-government airdrops to Gaza.
Update: World Central Kitchen suspended operations in Gaza on 2 April following precision Israeli drone strikes that killed seven workers.
Update: WCK resumed Gaza operations on 29 April.