Gaza is one of the most well-known and volatile regions of the Middle East regarding political and social strife. But the current conditions in Gaza are considered dire, and warnings of impending death for many people are emerging due to lack of essential resources.
The Gaza Strip is a 141.6 square mile area of land in the south of Israel where more than two million Palestinians, mostly Muslim, live, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. This population density, combined with the Israeli Army’s long-standing blockade of Gaza that has been around since 2007, has led to a severe shortage in resources like food and medical supplies.
Power outages have become frequent, and residents reportedly receive electricity only two or three hours each day. Most people don’t have access to the necessary medications or treatments for serious illnesses, making it more difficult for those with medical conditions to survive. Without proper clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, infectious diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea are becoming increasingly common.
These issues have been compounded by a rapidly deteriorating economic situation. The unemployment rate is said to be around 43%. Prices of essential goods, like food and fuel, have sharply increased. As a result, thousands of Gazan families are struggling to put food on the table. For example, in August 2019, the World Food Programme, WFP, reported that 70 percent of the population rely on food aid.
Despite warnings from different humanitarian organisations, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF, of a looming disaster, limited action has been taken to help the people of Gaza. Currently, various non-governmental organisation is attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to the region, but are often blocked due to the blockade. Recently, the situation has deteriorated to a level where some experts fear that if this situation is not addressed immediately, many innocent people could die in the near future.
The situation in Gaza is dire, and the lives of innocent people are being threatened by the lack of crucial resources. The international community needs to take immediate steps to provide aid and internal pressure to permanently lift the blockade of Gaza. This is the only way to prevent a potential disaster and save lives.