New York (Web Desk): The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified, with severe restrictions on aid deliveries to the region.
Since the Israeli military ground offensive began in northern Gaza on October 6, only a small percentage of the United Nations (UN) World Food Programme's (WFP) requests for food and water deliveries have been granted.
Despite more than 100 attempts to provide relief, only a few convoys have been approved.
In late December, a convoy of trucks finally reached Beit Hanoun, an area that had been cut off from aid for over two and a half months.
The arrival of food, water, and essential supplies was met with overwhelming desperation, as residents rushed to gather the provisions.
The lack of access to basic necessities has left large sections of northern Gaza in severe deprivation, with up to 15,000 people cut off from food, water, and essential services such as healthcare and electricity.
The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by overcrowding in the southern regions, where conditions are becoming unbearable as more people seek refuge.
As winter sets in, the suffering grows worse, with critical shortages and extreme living conditions becoming more widespread.
The UN has raised alarm about the looming threat of famine in the northern parts of Gaza, with the ongoing military operations further hindering any chance of relief.
The aid efforts are not only hampered by logistical challenges but also by the lawlessness that has taken hold, including armed gangs looting supplies meant for those in need.
The dangers for humanitarian workers have escalated, with Gaza now one of the deadliest places in the world to provide aid.
The ongoing conflict continues to result in mass casualties, with airstrikes killing dozens of people, including in areas that were supposed to be safe for aid operations.