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Israel blocking aid as Gaza's humanitarian crisis worsens: UNRWA

Iran Press TV

Monday, 24 November 2025 7:18 PM

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has issued a stark warning about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement released on Monday, the agency said Israel is still blocking its international staff and restricting aid delivery to the besieged territory.

UNRWA reported that despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to prevent international staff from entering Gaza, leaving approximately 6,000 food trucks stranded at border crossings. Currently, only about 170 trucks are entering daily, far below the minimum needed to meet basic needs.

UNRWA is operating 100 shelters housing over 80,000 displaced Palestinians and providing distance learning for 300,000 students, alongside in-person classes for 50,000 students under challenging conditions.

Many children study in makeshift classrooms without proper seating, highlighting the urgent need for basic school furniture to foster a sense of stability and safety.

The agency stressed that "providing simple necessities such as desks and chairs is essential for rebuilding hope" among Gaza's children.

With hundreds of schools damaged or destroyed, UNRWA has transformed emergency shelters into temporary learning spaces. Its health network is also stretched to capacity, with clinics receiving 15,000 patients daily. Since October 7, total medical visits have exceeded 15 million.

The destruction by Israeli forces has caused a severe decline in the agency's operational capacity at a time when humanitarian needs are at their highest.

UNRWA reports that 380 staff members have been killed, and 90% of its facilities have been damaged by Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, the agency faces a $200 million budget deficit, worsened by the US halting its annual $360 million contribution.

Currently, over 90% of the population relies on aid, with many receiving only one meal a day. Malnutrition rates have surged to 90%, particularly among children.

UNRWA's warning emphasizes the deteriorating living conditions in Gaza and the immense challenges facing humanitarian operations, as civilians remain on the brink of collapse amid ongoing restrictions on aid.

The dire situation follows the "genocidal war waged by Israel beginning on October 7, 2023, which destroyed large parts of Gaza's educational infrastructure.

The first phase of the US-brokered deal is currently in effect, while negotiations on the second phase remain unresolved.

Western governments have largely supported Israel's war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, a campaign that has killed nearly 70,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children. The bombardment has destroyed or damaged 83 percent of homes and buildings in Gaza, leaving more than 60 million tons of rubble behind.