Red Crescent Faces Potential Operations Halt in Gaza Due to Supply Shortages in Just Days
The leader of the Palestinian Red Crescent has warned that its operations in Gaza might cease within days due to a lack of fresh supplies, with its ambulance services operating at only one-third capacity because of fuel shortages.
Some flour and aid have started to reach some of Gaza’s most vulnerable regions after Israel allowed a few trucks to pass, but officials noted that this is insufficient to compensate for shortages stemming from an 11-week Israeli blockade.
Yesterday, Israel announced that it permitted 100 trucks carrying baby food and medical supplies into Gaza, two days after easing the blockade for the first time amid growing international pressure and warnings of starvation.
The blockade on humanitarian supplies was imposed by Israel in March.
Palestinian children are seen waiting in line for hot meals from a distribution truck at a displacement camp near Gaza City’s port.
“Our fuel supplies are running low. Our ambulance capacity is currently just one third,” he remarked, explaining that gasoline-powered ambulances have already stopped operating, although some vehicles utilizing solar power supplied by the United Nations are still functional.
The PRCS is part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the largest humanitarian network globally, providing medical care in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
Mr. Al-Khatib criticized the limited aid Israel has allowed into Gaza so far, warning of potential mob violence. “This is essentially an invitation for violence. These people are starving,” he stated.
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Amid its ongoing conflict with Hamas, Israel has consistently defended its restrictions on aid, asserting that there is ample food in Gaza and rejecting claims of causing hunger.
He also voiced discontent toward a US-backed organization planning to begin operations in Gaza by the end of May, which aims to introduce a new model for aid distribution. “This is not up for discussion. No, no, no,” he asserted.
“The world should not abandon the existing system as we understand it.”
The US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aims to collaborate with private US security and logistics companies to assist 300,000 individuals from distribution centers in southern Gaza.
With a total population of 2.3 million in Gaza, most of whom are displaced, the UN has indicated that a quarter are facing famine risk.
The Palestinian health minister previously reported that 29 children and elderly individuals have succumbed to starvation-related deaths in Gaza in recent days, with many thousands more at risk.
“In the past couple of days, we lost 29 children,” Majed Abu Ramadan stated, clarifying that this figure also accounts for elderly individuals.
Humanitarian aid is being unloaded at the Kerem Shalom border.
“Some bakeries will start receiving flour to make bread, with distributions expected to begin later today,” said Amjad al-Shawa, director of the Palestinian Non-Governmental Organisations Network in Gaza.
He noted that only 90 trucks had managed to pass through. “During the ceasefire, 600 trucks would enter daily, meaning the current amount is merely a drop in the ocean,” he remarked.
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Bakeries supported by the UN’s World Food Programme will produce the bread, with agency staff overseeing its distribution—an approach deemed more controlled compared to the previous method where bakers sold it directly to the public at low prices, he added.
“The initiative aims to reach the most desperate families, particularly those in dire need, as this is just the beginning,” Mr. Shawa stated.
Bread production resumed this morning in Deir Al-Balah following the limited entry of flour into Gaza.
Israeli attacks have left 52 Palestinians dead in Gaza, according to the civil defense agency.
The Israeli military issued evacuation notices for 14 neighborhoods in northern Gaza, including parts of Beit Lahia and Jabalia.
A similar evacuation warning was given for parts of northern Gaza yesterday evening, which the military cited as a response to rocket fire.
In Beit Lahia, a tank shell struck a medicine warehouse within Al-Awda Hospital, igniting a fire, as reported by the health ministry.
Rescue teams have been battling the flames for hours, it added.
An injured child is transported to a waiting ambulance following an attack in Jabalia.
Tanks are stationed outside the hospital, effectively hindering access to the facility, according to medics.
The healthcare system in Gaza is barely operational, with most medical facilities rendered inoperative due to repeated Israeli strikes, military incursions, and bans on entering medical supplies.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated yesterday that Israel would consider a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the return of hostages taken by Hamas fighters. However, he warned that if hostages were not released, the military campaign would continue until total control of Gaza was achieved.
“Netanyahu continues to delay and insists on continuing the war. Any agreement that doesn’t permanently halt the massacres in Gaza holds no value,” said senior Hamas official Sami Ab Zuhri in response to Mr. Netanyahu’s remarks.
Israel initiated its campaign in Gaza in reaction to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 individuals according to Israeli reports and led to 251 hostages being abducted to Gaza.
Since then, the campaign has resulted in over 53,600 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza health authorities, and has devastated the coastal enclave, with aid organizations reporting widespread signs of severe malnutrition.
