The Palestinian militant group Hamas has asked the world international organisations to send relief materials such as medical essentials and humanitarian supplies to Gaza, where Israel air strikes have killed hundreds of people.The electricity and food supplies have been cut off as Israels ongoing airstrikes have exacerbated a deepening humanitarian crisis as per media reports. The densely populated Strip has been facing a shortage of food and medical supplies.Hamas urges global relief organisations to send vital supplies to GazaRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/AfX2utr0NS#Hamas #Israel #IsraelHamasWar #Gaza pic.twitter.com/1SSqXyaZo5— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 13, 2023Blockaded GazaThe region faces the risk of starvation and imminent depletion of fuel resources as Israel has withheld critical supplies in response to Hamas recent acts of violence. Moreover, the Israeli authorities declared a complete siege and an immediate cut to water supply to the Gaza Strip on Monday.Hamas issued a statement, urging “all relief, health, and charitable institutions in the Arab, Islamic, and international communities to swiftly provide necessary medical and humanitarian aid, as well as fuel, to save the lives of over two million Palestinian residents.”The Palestinian Health minister, Mai Alkaila also warned of a collapse of the regions healthcare system in Gaza due to the scarcity of medical equipment, surgical supplies, medications, and blood bags.Gaza faces humanitarian crisisThe complete blockade of the small region has been frowned upon by many international bodies. The besiegement of Gaza denies access to electricity, water, food, and essential goods necessary for civilian survival in Gaza.The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt expressed strong disapproval of a complete blockade. She emphasised that Israel has a responsibility to permit humanitarian aid access and ensure assistance for the civilian population. Providing humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza should be a top priority, she said.Amnesty International has also spoken on the blockade of Gaza by Israel.“The Israeli authorities must immediately restore Gazas electricity supply and suspend the increased restrictions imposed as a result of the Minister of Defences order of 9 October 2023 and lift its illegal 16-year blockade on the Gaza Strip. The collective punishment of Gazas civilian population amounts to a war crime – it is cruel and inhumane. As the occupying power, Israel has a clear obligation under international law to ensure the basic needs of Gazas civilian population are met,” said Amnesty Internationals Secretary General Agnès Callamard.Palestinian destructionAccording to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 1,537 individuals, including 500 children and 267 women, since their commencement following a deadly Hamas attack last Saturday. An additional 6,612 people have sustained injuries.A statement from the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs revealed that over 330,000 individuals have been displaced in Gaza since Israel initiated its bombardment of the region.
