The humanitarian situation in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) has reached a critical and catastrophic point. For nearly nine months, relentless airstrikes, artillery shelling, and drone-fired missiles have decimated the region, leaving over 70% of housing units damaged or destroyed. The impact on civilian infrastructure and services, particularly healthcare, has been devastating.
The healthcare system in Gaza is collapsing under the weight of conflict. Hospitals and health centers have been directly targeted during Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) operations, and have lead to the deaths of both civilians and humanitarian personnel. Many now function only as first aid centers, unable to cope with the daily influx of casualties. With the healthcare system severely disrupted, morbidity rates among the injured have skyrocketed.
Gaza’s population has faced multiple waves of displacement, with an estimated 1.4 million people sheltering in Rafah alone. Israeli ground incursions in Rafah and northern areas have triggered further displacement, with 450,000 fleeing Rafah and over 100,000 fleeing northern areas in May. The conditions in overcrowded UN schools and hospitals—used as shelters—are dire, as these spaces run out of food, water, and basic sanitation. The lack of resources has created a breeding ground for diseases, exacerbated by malnutrition, especially among vulnerable groups such as children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The closure of the Rafah crossing on May 7 worsened the already extreme crisis in Gaza, leading to widespread famine, particularly in northern Gaza and Gaza City. Humanitarian agencies report that many of their aid shipments have been blocked, while commercial aid has been insufficiently distributed. The fuel shortages have further crippled essential services, including water and sanitation, leaving hospitals struggling to operate. Al Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Central Gaza, for instance, ran out of fuel on May 27, forcing doctors to manually warm newborns in incubators.
Efforts to deliver aid have been met with violence. Convoys carrying supplies have been bombed, killing and injuring aid workers. Tragically, civilians awaiting aid in Gaza City have been targeted and killed. Attempts to air-drop aid have also resulted in loss of life, as civilians have drowned or been struck by falling aid packages.
Despite the overwhelming challenges, the War Child Alliance remains steadfast in its efforts to support children and families affected by the ongoing crisis. Since October 2023, we and our partners have provided aid to 133,338 individuals across Gaza through psychological first aid, counseling, recreational activities, and essential supplies such as food, hygiene kits, and educational materials.
Through the Dutch Relief Alliance (DRA), the War Child Alliance's consortium partners have reached over 271,944 people with essential health services, protection measures, and improvements in water and sanitation. Despite the severe disruptions caused by the Rafah invasion, we continue to focus our efforts on providing vital aid to those in need, including the distribution of over 500 food parcels to frontline workers’ households and other affected families.
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