In the midst of ongoing attacks by Israeli forces, World Central Kitchen (WCK) has announced the pause of its operations in Rafah, as aid organizations warn of a humanitarian response that is teetering on the edge of collapse. The southern city of Rafah, located on the Gaza-Egypt border, has been a target of Israel's offensive, and the situation has escalated significantly.

WCK has been forced to relocate many of its community kitchens further north due to the continuous attacks. The organization expressed deep concern for the countless families who have been compelled to flee their homes once again, as the violence escalates. On Sunday, an Israeli airstrike tragically hit tents providing shelter to displaced individuals, resulting in the death of at least 45 civilians.

Despite the challenging circumstances, WCK managed to provide 100,000 meals on Monday and intends to increase its capacity throughout the week. They have also seen 58 of their aid trucks successfully enter Gaza since Sunday. However, WCK is not alone in struggling to continue aid operations. Médecins sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) has reported that no significant amount of aid has entered the enclave since May 6.

In addition, MSF revealed that due to intense fighting, staff and patients at a trauma stabilization point in Rafah were forced to evacuate on Monday night. This evacuation effectively halted all medical aid at the facility. The situation is dire, and without a cease-fire, 19 aid agencies have warned of an acceleration in deaths due to starvation, disease, and a lack of medical assistance.

Amidst the chaos, nearly every hospital in Gaza has received evacuation orders as they are located in the areas heavily impacted by the conflict. Fuel and supplies are running dangerously low, pushing the health system to the brink of collapse. The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that medical workers across Gaza report daily casualties due to the shortage of crucial supplies and the displacement or loss of healthcare professionals.

Since the commencement of the conflict between Hamas and Israel on October 7, 2023, the toll on human lives has been devastating. According to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health, over 36,171 people in Gaza have lost their lives, and more than 81,420 have been injured. On the Israeli side, more than 1,700 individuals have been killed, and over 8,700 have been injured.

The international community remains concerned about the escalating violence and its severe impact on the lives of innocent civilians. Calls for an immediate cease-fire are growing louder as aid organizations desperately strive to deliver much-needed assistance to the affected population. The situation further highlights the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in order to prevent further loss of life and ensure the provision of essential humanitarian aid.