10 things you should know about the humanitarian situation in Gaza

Here are ten things to know about what’s happening in Gaza.

#1: More than 41,000 killed  

It has been reported that in Gaza, 41,965 Palestinians have been killed and 97,590 have been injured since 7 October. Separately, more than 10,000 people are reported missing or are caught under rubble.

The heinous attack perpetrated by Palestinian armed groups on 7 October led to the killing of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, with hundreds deliberately targeted and over 250 taken hostage. An estimated 101 hostages remain in Gaza.

#2: 1.9 million are displaced

The conflict has resulted in severe destruction and widespread forcible displacement throughout Gaza. The number of people who have fled their homes is estimated to be around 1.9 million, or 90 per cent of the total population in the Gaza Strip. Many have been displaced several times.

#3: Mass destruction of homes and infrastructure

In Gaza 60 per cent of all homes, and 80 per cent of all commercial facilities have been damaged or destroyed, according to the World Bank, as of January 2024.

65 per cent of the total road network is destroyed or damaged, according to UNOSAT, as of 29 May 2024.

#4: Children without education

625,000 students have no access to education, as there is no longer any formal education or schooling for Gaza’s children.

Before 7 October, UNRWA operated 40 per cent of schools in Gaza. Most of these schools have been turned into shelters, hosting over one million displaced people.

At least 10,301 students and 416 educational staff have been killed. 95 per cent of schools have been directly hit, damaged, or likely damaged.

Additionally, one million children need mental health and psychosocial support.

#5: 2.15 million face food insecurity

96 per cent of the population faces crisis or worse levels of food insecurity (IPC 3 or above).

495,000 people are facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 5).

346,000 children under five and 160,000 pregnant or breastfeeding women require feeding and micronutrient supplement.

50,000 children are estimated to require treatment for acute malnutrition in 2024.

Read more about the different levels of food insecurity

#6: Fuel, food and water are running out

Water supplies for safe drinking and domestic purposes is just about a quarter of the water supply provided prior to October 2023, according to the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cluster.

Water trucking operations are now a significant means of distributing water across the Gaza Strip, with many people relying on direct collection from trucks or from communal distribution points.

Since October 2023, Israeli authorities have cut off the electricity supply to Gaza and forced the shutdown of the local power plant.

Fuel is now critically needed to run the back-up generators that power life-saving medical infrastructure and equipment, as well as water and food production facilities. It is also necessary to keep ambulances, trucks and other vehicles running.

The Israeli authorities continue to tightly control allocations of incoming fuel, thereby limiting humanitarian operations.

#7: The healthcare system has collapsed

Attacks on hospitals, limited humanitarian access, and blockades on vital medical supplies have significantly hindered the capacity of Gaza's health care facilities to provide essential treatment to those in need.

19 out of 36 hospitals are out of service. 986 health workers have been killed.

#8: Increased risk of diseases

People are being forced to consume water from unsafe sources. Dehydration and waterborne diseases are becoming increasingly likely, and medicine is in short supply. There are several reports of cases of chicken pox, scabies and diarrhoea due to poor sanitation conditions and the consumption of unsafe water.

Due to the situation, vaccination programmes have been suspended. The Palestinian Ministry of Health has confirmed the first case of polio in 25 years.

#9: Humanitarians under attack

Gaza is the most dangerous place for aid workers in the world, and nearly all Palestinian aid workers have been displaced. Between 7 October 2023 and 25 September, at least 306 aid workers were killed.

#10: A devastating siege

The siege has devastated Gaza's economy, and left most people largely cut off from the outside world.

Israel continues to severely restrict the delivery of life-saving aid. Before 7 October, on average, 500 trucks would enter Gaza each working day providing fuel, food and other commercial goods. Now, the trucks trickle in.

The average number of trucks entering each day with life-saving aid in May was 94. In June this was 77, July 79 and August 65.

How is NRC responding?

• Since 7 October we have assisted more than 120,000 people with shelter and essential items, including tents, blankets, mattresses and kitchen sets.
• We have provided more than 80,000 people with cash to meet their life-saving needs.
• We have delivered safe drinking water and hygiene kits to more than 106,000 people in Gaza since 7 October.
• We are hosting play-based activities and psychosocial support programmes for children. These services are tailored to help children cope better with stress and trauma. We have also started parent clubs, with joint activities for both children and their parents. So far more than 5,000 individuals have benefited from these programmes.
• We have also been supporting with legal aid and protection services.

We recognise that this support is not enough while the bombs continue to fall. We are therefore advocating tirelessly for a permanent ceasefire so that Palestinians in Gaza can get their lives back.  

What are we asking for?

• Adhere to international law.
  The international community must ensure respect for international law, particularly the fundamental principles of international humanitarian law and the prohibition against acts of aggression. Vigorous efforts must be made to pursue accountability for atrocity crimes committed by all parties involved.
• Cease all hostilities.
  All parties involved in the conflict must stop the widespread civilian bloodshed, forced displacement, destruction of infrastructure, deprivation and starvation. An immediate and enduring ceasefire, endorsed by the UN Security Council, must be respected and serve as the basis for a formal agreement to end hostilities.
• Release all hostages.
  Hundreds of Israeli civilians were taken hostage by armed groups in Gaza, contravening international law. Hostages must be freed unconditionally, and Palestinians detained by Israel must be treated in accordance with international law, ensuring lawful and humane treatment.
• Protect civilians.
  All parties must adhere to the laws of war, refraining from deliberate and indiscriminate attacks on civilians and essential infrastructure vital for civilian survival. The negligence and recklessness displayed by Israel in its military operations, resulting in harm to civilians and aid workers, must cease. Israel must immediately ensure that its military operations comply with the rules of international humanitarian law, including those pertaining to the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian assistance.
• End arbitrary restrictions on aid.
  As the occupying power, Israel must fulfil its obligations, as ordered by the International Court of Justice, to urgently restore basic services and facilitate the unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance to alleviate starvation. This assistance must address critical needs such as food, water, electricity, fuel, shelter, clothing, hygiene, sanitation, medical supplies, and healthcare for Palestinians across Gaza.
• Lift the siege on Gaza.
  Israel must not hinder the return of a credible and accountable Palestinian government to Gaza and allow for the physical, social, economic, and political reintegration of the West Bank and Gaza. Israel must refrain from any attempts to permanently acquire territory in Gaza in violation of international law or impose demographic changes through forced displacement and deportation.