In a devastating blow to the people of Gaza, Israel has resumed its bombing campaign following a seven-day ceasefire, intensifying the already dire humanitarian crisis in the region. The Israeli defense minister's objective to eliminate Hamas and ISIS-Gaza has resulted in civilians being urged to evacuate to safe zones, but these areas are virtually non-existent, according to a statement from the UN children's agency, Unicef.

Unicef spokesperson James Elder highlighted the challenges faced by civilians, stating, "There are no safe zones in Gaza. These are tiny patches of barren land with no water, facilities, shelter, or sanitation." The limitations faced by the population are compounded by the ongoing blockade of Gaza since 2007 and the refusal of its bordering countries, Israel and Egypt, to accept refugees.

The Gaza Strip, with an area of 140 square miles, is smaller than a third of the size of Los Angeles. However, the ability of its residents to leave the territory is severely restricted due to the blockade and the damaged roads caused by airstrikes. Furthermore, the scarcity of fuel exacerbates the mobility challenges faced by the population.

The Israeli military defends its actions, claiming to follow international law. However, critics question these assertions, citing an investigation that revealed the authorization to bomb non-military targets, a loosening of constraints on civilian casualties, and the use of artificial intelligence to identify targets, which have increased the deadliness of the war.

Israel's efforts to warn civilians of targeted areas have been marred by poor internet and cell service in Gaza, rendering leaflets, calls, and texts ineffective. Moreover, as the military onslaught intensifies, safe areas that were previously designated have become unsafe, creating confusion and endangering the lives of those seeking shelter.

Attempts to establish new safe zones by the Israeli government, such as the strip of land named al-Mawasi, are leading to severe overcrowding. Refugee shelters designed for 2,000 people are accommodating as many as 37,900 displaced individuals. These so-called safe zones lack fundamental resources like food, water, and sanitation, raising concerns about the spread of disease among the population.

The bleak reality of the situation was brought into focus by Elder's visit to Gaza, where he discovered the absence of toilets and water in congested areas. A physician he spoke with warned that these safe zones would become breeding grounds for disease.

The ceasefire, which temporarily provided a respite, has now come to an end, leading to a further escalation of the humanitarian crisis. Prior to the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes and ground operations had already claimed the lives of over 14,000 Palestinians. Since the ceasefire ended, an additional 1,700 people have been killed, highlighting the grim reality that civilians in Gaza have nowhere left to go.

Hospitals in Gaza have closed, aid supplies remain insufficient, and essential resources such as food and water are rapidly dwindling. The United Nations estimates that since October, 1.9 million out of the 2.3 million population of Gaza have been displaced.

As Israel shifts its bombings to the south, the displacement and casualties continue to rise. The constant changes in recommended safe zones have made it near impossible for civilians to seek refuge, further exacerbating the sense of uncertainty and fear among the population.

The lack of infrastructure for food distribution and support in the region has been highlighted by media outlets. With overcrowding, ongoing airstrikes, and critical shortages, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza shows no signs of abating.

The dire situation has led to widespread concern, with UN undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs, Martin Griffiths, describing the plight of Gaza as "apocalyptic." The urgent need for international intervention and support is crucial to alleviate the suffering and protect the lives of the civilians caught in the crossfire.