In the face of a looming famine in Gaza, the United Nations has expressed concerns over the significant decline in the amount of humanitarian aid entering the enclave since Israel initiated its military operation in the southern Rafah region. The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that the volume of food and other essential aid reaching Gaza has shrunk considerably since May 7.

According to OCHA, between May 7 and Tuesday, an average of 58 aid trucks per day reached Gaza, in sharp contrast to the daily average of 176 trucks from April 1 to May 6. This signifies a notable 67% decrease in aid deliveries to Gaza. It is important to note that these figures only account for official aid shipments and do not include private sector cargo and fuel.

The United Nations has consistently emphasized that at least 500 trucks per day are necessary to meet the burgeoning needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza. However, since the onset of the Israel-Hamas conflict approximately eight months ago, aid primarily enters through two crossings - the Rafah crossing from Egypt and the Kerem Shalom crossing from Israel.

The situation escalated when Israel intensified its military operations in Rafah to uproot remaining Hamas fighters, leading to disruptions in aid deliveries. Egypt subsequently closed the Rafah crossing due to concerns for humanitarian safety. Nevertheless, Egypt has now agreed to temporarily route a backlog of aid and fuel via the Kerem Shalom crossing.

The decline in aid shipments can be attributed to the closure of the Rafah crossing, the difficulties in consistently collecting commodities from the Kerem Shalom crossing, and limited deliveries through other entry points. The reduced access has exacerbated an already dire situation in Gaza, where the basic necessities for survival are increasingly scarce.

In response to these concerns, Israel's Deputy U.N. Ambassador Jonathan Miller emphasized that Israel's military operations are directed towards Hamas and not the civilian population of Gaza. He affirmed Israel's commitment to facilitating humanitarian aid entry into Gaza through all possible entry points. Despite ongoing rocket fire from Hamas, the Kerem Shalom crossing continues to operate and facilitate the entry of aid trucks.

As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the international community is urging all parties involved to prioritize the well-being of the people in Gaza. Immediate action is necessary to alleviate the suffering and ensure the delivery of adequate aid to the millions in need.