The living conditions for civilians in the Gaza Strip are deteriorating as the space becomes more limited and crowded, according to a senior official with the UN Humanitarian Affairs Office, OCHA.
Andrea De Domenico, Head of OCHA's Office in the occupied Palestinian territory, recently spent three weeks in Gaza, where over one million people have fled the southern city of Rafah due to increased Israeli military operations, as reported by the Palestine refugee agency UNRWA.
De Domenico emphasized that the operational environment for humanitarian workers remains dangerous and challenging, despite efforts to engage with the parties involved. He expressed concerns about the difficulties in bringing aid into Gaza and delivering it to those in need, including women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, due to security, safety, and logistical challenges.
He also highlighted the breakdown of law and order, citing an incident where nearly 70 percent of an aid convoy did not reach its destination due to interception by criminals and desperate individuals.
De Domenico remarked, "At times I wonder if the humanitarian operation in Gaza is intentionally hindered. We are trying to save lives every day, but our hands have been tied since the very beginning. It feels like someone broke our legs and is now asking us to run. We have learned to run with crutches, and now they have taken away the crutches."
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