Report
The ongoing conflict, including fighting, airstrikes and siege are having a devastating impact on civilians and civilian infrastructure in Gaza, and the humanitarian situation is getting direr every day. Severe restrictions on humanitarian aid delivery mean essential items needed for survival, such as medical supplies, food and clean water are not getting into Gaza at the levels required.
The IRC is calling for all parties to agree to an immediate and lasting ceasefire as envisaged by UN Security Council Resolution 2735. A ceasefire is the only way to fully protect Palestinian lives, secure the release of hostages taken from Israel by Hamas and other armed groups, and safely scale-up humanitarian assistance and service delivery. While fighting continues, all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law which demands protecting civilians and the infrastructure they depend on to survive. The IRC is also calling for a humanitarian reset to deliver an immediate and significant scale up of humanitarian aid. This includes immediate action to: Open all land border crossings to goods and personnel; streamline inspection processes and list of permitted supplies; facilitate eased entry of humanitarian and healthcare staff; ensure safe movement for all humanitarian and healthcare workers and fully reinstate critical services like water, power, and fuel supplies.
As of August 27, 2024, over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed, and nearly 94,000 have been injured in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities. The situation has worsened due to forced displacement orders issued by Israeli forces in Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir al-Balah, and North Gaza, affecting 260,000 civilians, with almost 90% of the population displaced. This has led to a severe strain on humanitarian efforts, with NGOs facing unprecedented challenges in delivering aid, compounded by restricted access, damaged infrastructure, lack of safety, and critical shortages of supplies.
The forced displacement orders have compressed the population into a “humanitarian zone” that now holds 30,000–34,000 people per square kilometer, further complicating aid distribution and service delivery. Medical, food, water, and hygiene supplies are critically low, while aid organizations face delays and bureaucratic obstacles in accessing Gaza. The first polio case in Gaza since August 2024 has also exacerbated the health crisis.
Humanitarian organizations are calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire and urgent action to stop forced displacements, ensure safe and unhindered access to humanitarian aid, and protect vulnerable civilians and humanitarian actors.
