03/08/2025 - 08:00 AM
By Neyla Antoun
The United Nations has confirmed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza remains critical, with the war leaving more than two million people entirely dependent on food aid, homeless, and without any income.
The World Food Programm (WFP) emphasized that the needs in Gaza are enormous and require a comprehensive humanitarian response. All UN agencies, including UNRWA, are working to serve over two million people in need.
However, there is currently not enough food inside Gaza, and a significant influx of aid is necessary. Additionally, proper conditions must be ensured for UN humanitarian workers to operate effectively.
The WFP stressed the need to restore commercial flows into Gaza and provide financial liquidity to the population so they can purchase fresh food and other essential items.
Aid Restrictions and Political Challenges
Israeli authorities have closed the crossings into Gaza and halted aid entry. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that all goods and supplies to Gaza would be stopped starting Sunday morning, stating that Israel would not allow a ceasefire without the release of hostages.
Arab and international efforts are racing against time to aid the Palestinian people, especially in the devastated Gaza Strip. Since the ceasefire on January 19, the risk of famine has been averted, but the amount of food aid remains insufficient.
Alongside these humanitarian efforts, intense political negotiations continue as regional mediators and international actors, including the United States, work to secure a lasting ceasefire and prevent the resumption of war.
Supporting Resilience
In a joint statement, five UN agencies, including UNRWA and UNICEF, highlighted that more than 1.6 million people in Gaza are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Children, pregnant women, and the elderly remain the most vulnerable groups, with children making up nearly half of Gaza’s population.
The WFP aims to deliver more than 30,000 tons of food monthly to reach 1.6 million people. However, the shortage of food inside Gaza and the need for large-scale aid flows remain critical challenges.
Arab Efforts
The WFP reported that the number of aid trucks from Jordan to Gaza has tripled since the ceasefire agreement began on January 19.
Arab countries, including the UAE, Egypt, and Jordan, have continuously provided aid for over a year and a half. Dr. Hussein Al-Shibli, Secretary-General of the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization, stated that Jordan has devised a Ramadan relief plan to increase aid deliveries, ensuring they include supplies suited to the holy month’s needs.
Egypt continues its humanitarian bridge to Gaza, sending hundreds of aid convoys carrying essential supplies, particularly food.
From Dubai’s Hamriyah Port, the “Zayed Humanitarian Ship 7” set sail for Egypt’s Al-Arish, as part of the “Gallant Knight 3” operation. The ship carries 5,820 tons of humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, medical supplies, and shelter materials, aiming to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people amid the dire humanitarian crisis.
Political Support and Reconstruction Plan
Arab efforts extend beyond humanitarian aid to political support. Egypt has announced the completion of its Gaza reconstruction plan while firmly rejecting the use of starvation as a weapon against the Palestinian population.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty stated during a joint press conference with European Union Commissioner Dubravka Šuica, “We have completed drafting the Gaza reconstruction plan, which will be presented at the emergency Arab summit next Tuesday.”
He added that “the plan will not be shared with any foreign party before being approved by the Arab summit.”
Additionally, Egypt remains committed to negotiating the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. Abdel Aty strongly condemned the use of aid restrictions as a form of collective punishment and starvation in Gaza, referring to Netanyahu’s decision to block aid entry.
The first phase of the Gaza agreement ended on Saturday, with Israel seeking an extension while Hamas insists on moving to the second phase, which would effectively end the war.
Arab Consensus Against Displacement
Arab nations have unanimously rejected any forced displacement plans for Palestinians or U.S. proposals regarding Gaza’s administration.
In a joint letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, five Arab foreign ministers—representing the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and Jordan—along with senior Palestinian official Hussein Al-Sheikh, firmly opposed displacement plans.
According to Axios, this letter followed their meeting in Cairo in early February.
The letter emphasized that “Gaza’s reconstruction must be carried out in direct coordination with its residents and with their full participation. Palestinians should remain in their land and actively contribute to rebuilding it.”
It added: “They must not be displaced during the reconstruction process, which should be supported by the international community.”
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