Gaza humanitarian crisis deepens amid Israeli attacks, aid restrictions

GENEVA, Nov 13: Gaza is facing a worsening humanitarian crisis as heavy winter rains, rising respiratory infections and restrictions on medical supplies threaten the lives of millions of displaced Palestinians, with vulnerable children among those most severely affected.

Six-year-old Masa Yassin is among those struggling to access essential medical treatment. 

MSF says Israel has banned its international staff from entering Gaza and blocked its supply imports since February after the organisation refused to submit lists of its local employees without assurances about their safety. 

Israel's military agency responsible for coordinating humanitarian assistance, COGAT, confirmed the restrictions, saying MSF had failed to meet registration requirements, including submitting staff lists to prevent the misuse of humanitarian aid by militant organisations. It said other aid organisations had complied and continued operating, adding that more than 24,000 tonnes of medical supplies had been approved for entry into Gaza.

Without continued treatment, patients could develop complications affecting their ability to speak, eat, drink and move their faces.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of a sharp increase in respiratory illnesses across Gaza following heavy rainfall that flooded tens of thousands of tents housing displaced Palestinians.

WHO representative in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Reinhilde Van De Weerdt, said acute respiratory infections were already 33,000 cases higher than during the same period last year. Such infections account for 11% of all medical consultations, with further increases expected as temperatures fall.

Overcrowded shelters, poor ventilation, damp conditions and contaminated water are contributing to the spread of infections. 

The worsening humanitarian situation has also drawn international condemnation. Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed Al-Budaiwi condemned continued Israeli violations against Palestinians, including Thursday's attack on Nasser Medical Complex. He called on the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take effective measures to protect civilians, stop attacks and ensure unrestricted humanitarian assistance.

Denmark has also announced additional emergency funding to support Palestinians affected by flooding and winter conditions. Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said the country would provide 20 million kroner ($3 million) to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), alongside another 40 million kroner ($6 million) for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund.
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