DaysofPal — The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on Friday emphasized the urgent need to renew the ceasefire in Gaza, lift the Israeli blockade, and reopen crossings to allow continuous humanitarian aid delivery to more than 2.1 million besieged residents.
“The ceasefire must be renewed, the blockade lifted, and crossings reopened to allow continuous aid deliveries,” UNRWA said in a statement, warning that food, medicine, fuel, and tents have been stockpiling at Gaza’s crossings since Israel sealed them seven weeks ago on March 2.
UNRWA added that this chokehold is now “more severe than in the aftermath of the October 7 attacks,” with vital food, fuel, medical supplies, and childhood vaccines running out rapidly.
Since Israeli occupation withdrew from the January 19 ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement on March 18, the agency noted, relentless strikes have claimed hundreds of civilian lives.
On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that Gaza faces its worst humanitarian crisis since the war began nearly 18 months ago, reporting that the number of children treated for malnutrition surged to 3,600—up from 2,000 in just one month.
Nearly the entire population now relies on charity kitchens providing roughly one million meals per day after other food‑distribution programs collapsed amid supply shortages. According to an Associated Press report, the United Nations and other relief organizations have redirected their remaining resources to sustain these kitchens.
Israel has kept all Gaza crossings closed to humanitarian, relief, and medical deliveries since March 2, triggering a rapid deterioration in living conditions. Then, on March 18, it resumed what critics have called a genocidal military offensive after abandoning the ceasefire that had held since January 19.
As stocks dwindle and essential services falter, UNRWA called on the international community to act immediately to reopen crossings and deliver large‑scale aid to stave off a total humanitarian collapse in Gaza.
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