Israeli airstrikes killed at least 12 Palestinians on Monday as the growing fear of a new round of military attacks to push civilians out of the northern parts of the enclave. As the humanitarian crisis intensifies, UNRWA stated that Israel is reducing truck entries carrying aid into Gaza, worsening critical shortages in food, medicine, and other essential supplies.

Starting Casualty Toll from Airstrikes

The most recent wave of violence took seven lives in Beit Lahiya, where Israeli strikes targeted two residential buildings. Five more deaths have been reported from attacks in central and southern Gaza, according to local medics. Multiple injuries have been reported, with Israeli tanks reportedly entering the northeast Nuseirat camp earlier in the day. Israel has cited a need to prevent Hamas militants from reassembling in these areas to justify its military actions.

Israel has bombarded facilities like Kamal Adwan Hospital, causing several staff members and patients injuries. Reportedly, medical staff could not move inside the building as strikes have been conducted against them. “It appears that there is a move to liquidate all the doctors who declined to leave the hospital,” said the Palestinian Health Ministry, summing up the grave situation both for the medical workers and patients.

Humanitarian Situation Worsens

The civilian situation in Gaza remained critical due to the ongoing fighting. UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said Israel has strictly limited entry of relief convoys to as few as about 30 a day, the smallest number in a long time. The number counts to just 6 percent of the commercial and humanitarian items that would have entered the territory before the hostilities break. “This cannot meet the needs of 2 million people, most of whom are starving, sick, and in desperate conditions,” Lazzarini stressed.

On the other hand, the Israeli government stated that there are no restrictions imposed on aid and added that 47 aid trucks crossed into northern Gaza on Sunday. However, the latest statistics indicate that the amount of assistance allowed into Gaza has remained the lowest since it started in October 2023.

The Future of UNRWA Is at Stake

From the diplomatic front, Israel has sent a formal letter of cancellation of the agreement to the UN, citing its reasons as infiltration of the agency by Hamas. This move effectively bans UNRWA from having any operations, while Israel would want to collaborate with other UN agencies in delivering aid to Gaza. Lazzarini exclaimed that the blockage of humanitarian access alongside the dismantling of UNRWA will make the suffering experienced by the civilian population in Gaza “unspeakable.”

In August, nine workers of UNRWA were involved in executing the October 7 attack on Israel and were consequently dismissed. Matters were soon to worsen when a senior Hamas official, who was reportedly killed during a recent Israeli assault, emerged that he also held a position at UNRWA.

A Humanitarian Catastrophe

Since the start of hostilities on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas-led attack that killed nearly 1,200 Israelis, Gaza has been ravaged by massive destruction. The Hamas-run Gaza government said that about 1,800 Palestinians have died from the ongoing conflict and another 4,000 wounded, though the health ministry cannot confirm these statistics. Israel has also made various claims that Hamas tends to inflate casualty counts.

As Israeli military operations continue, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to gallop out of control, increasing calls for international intervention as the besieged population endures a crippling blockade and continued violence.