Authorities believe the Gaza Strip might face a fresh humanitarian catastrophe if supplies are not allowed in as Israel responds to Hamas strikes.
Residents claim help has not arrived in the enclave since Saturday, and Israel announced a “complete siege” on the region on Monday, cutting off electricity, food, gasoline, and water.
Gaza is home to around 2.3 million people, 80% of whom are dependent on charity.
Over 500 people have killed as a result of Israel’s retaliation attacks.
Israel controls the airspace over Gaza and its coastline, as well as who and what products are permitted to access its borders.
Egypt likewise closely monitors what and who may cross its border with Gaza.
Since the assaults began on Saturday morning, Israel has prohibited any supplies, including food and medication, from entering Gaza.
Many people are presently without power and internet, and they may soon run out of crucial food and water supplies.
Fuel will run out between 24 to 72 hours, according to authorities. The UN’s humanitarian office, OCHA, has also warned that gasoline supplies will only last a few days.
Even before the recent limitations, inhabitants of Gaza experienced significant food hardship, travel restrictions, and water shortages.
Israel’s Defence Minister, Yoav Gallant, announced on Monday that the country will impose a “complete siege” on the land.
“No electricity, no food, no water, no gas – it’s all closed,” he stated. He went on to say that “we are fighting animals and are acting accordingly.”
Following that, Israel’s infrastructure minister ordered an immediate cutoff of water supplies to Gaza, stating, “What was in the past will no longer be in the future.”
The Palestinian health ministry warned in a statement made before those statements that hospitals were experiencing a lack of medications, medical supplies, and fuel as a result of Israel’s activities.
It urged foreign players to press Israel to “restart power lines” and send emergency supplies such as medication, gasoline, and generators.
According to the Palestinian health ministry, Israel has unleashed significant retaliation air attacks into Gaza since Saturday, killing at least 511 Palestinians and injured 2,750.
Sunday night saw a particularly severe barrage of strikes, probably the most intense in years, with numerous huge explosions heard in short succession across the Gaza Strip.
As the attacks raged on into morning, black smoke covered the sky and dust from demolished buildings could be tasted in the air.
Some of the strikes were directed at the border area in Gaza’s east, from whence Hamas started their attacks on Saturday morning. Israel appears to be targeting certain locations in order to improve security.
Witnesses have reportedly reported seeing Israel use artillery fire near the border.
Israel has stated that it is targeting Hamas objectives in Gaza, however there have been allegations of people being struck.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israeli airstrikes attacked two Gaza refugee camps, Al-Shati (also known as the Beach camp) and Jabalia, killing and injuring multiple people.
A video posted online from Jabalia showed extensive turmoil, including the removal of a body and a guy drenched in blood and dust.
According to the foreign ministry, air attacks also struck a United Nations school in Gaza, which housed hundreds of people, including children and the elderly.
The UN verified the incident, stating the school had been “severely damaged” but that no one had been killed.
There have also been allegations of a mosque and residences being targeted.
According to the Associated Press, a strike in Rafah, in Gaza’s south, killed 19 members of the same family.
According to the UN, 123,538 Palestinians in Gaza have been internally displaced, primarily “due to fear, safety concerns, and the destruction of their homes.”
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 73,000 people are taking refuge in schools.
