The situation in Gaza and Israel is fast-moving and at times confusing. Here's what's happening, and what you can do to help.
Since the events of October 2023 that started the conflict, the Government of Israel declared a “total siege” on Gaza. The conflict has displaced almost 90 percent of the population and severed Palestinians in Gaza from water, food, shelter, electricity, fuel, and other vital supplies. People in Gaza have faced starvation, death, and disease.
The ceasefire agreement announced on January 15th, 2025, if fully implemented, should end the bloodshed in Gaza and allow for immediate and unhindered humanitarian access. This would include food and medical assistance reaching those in dire need.
- Oxfam is calling for all parties to the conflict and United Nations members to
- Ensure the swift and full implementation of the ceasefire;
- Uphold commitments to end the blockade on Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian Territory;
- Facilitate unrestricted humanitarian access to avert famine;
- Commit to supporting the rebuilding of Gaza immediately in an inclusive, equitable and sustainable manner centered on the needs and voices of Palestinians.
The head of Oxfam’s humanitarian response, Clemence Lagouardat, has been working in Gaza since the ceasefire was announced in mid-January. "I am seeing thousands of people moving out of their tents and shelters, many on donkey carts,” she reported to colleagues. “After 15 terrible months, people are finally able to search in the rubble for lost family members to bury and mourn as they begin the almost impossible task of rebuilding their lives and recovering Gaza.
"The ceasefire must hold so that not one more life is lost and free and safe movement of humanitarians is guaranteed in order to deliver aid where it is most needed. Bodies must continue to be recovered from the rubble, unexploded bombs cleared, and buildings declared safe or not."
How much food is getting into Gaza?
Prior to the start of the war, 45 percent of all food in Gaza was produced locally, as were 100 percent of its vegetables. The people in Gaza relied on about 500 truckloads a day for food and commercial goods.
The war in Gaza has decimated 70 percent of Gaza’s cropland. Farms, orchards, and greenhouses have been destroyed, and over the past 15 months, only a fraction of food that used to be delivered daily has been allowed through.
During the conflict, the entire population in Gaza hasn’t had enough food. Children are dying of malnutrition and dehydration. The price of foods—including lentils, salt, and tomatoes—has increased dramatically. To buy food, more than half of the households in Gaza have been forced to exchange their clothes for money.
In a statement following the anncouncement of the ceasefire, Oxfam is calling for the opening of all crossings for aid deliveries. Israel must allow the unhindered flow of aid and restored commercial activity to reach every corner of the besieged enclave to avert famine. This is critical to alleviating the suffering of displaced Palestinians and enabling the treatment of those hungry, injured and sick.
In Gaza water has become a luxury item
Under Israeli blockade for the last 16 years, Gaza already had limited ability to manage its essential resources, particularly water.
During the conflict more than 2 million people have been struggling to survive without access to clean water, which is a fundamental human right.
Israel has reduced the amount of water available in Gaza by 94 percent to less than 5 liters a day per person–equal to less than a single toilet flush.
The destruction of water and electricity infrastructure—as well as restrictions on the entry of spare parts and fuel—saw water production drop by 84 percent in Gaza.
Israel has destroyed 70 percent of all sewage pumps and 100 percent of all wastewater treatment plants.
Reconstruction of water and sanitation systems is a high priority that will help Gaza avoid outbreaks of water-borne diseases.
Are there any hospitals left in Gaza?
As of November, Gaza has just 17 hospitals that are partially operational and zero fully operational hospitals. Twenty-three have been destroyed. Out of these, only nine hospitals and four field hospitals are providing limited maternity services.
Those most at risk are people living with disabilities, pregnant or new mothers, those recovering from injuries, and people with chronic illnesses or weakened immune systems.
Where are people living in Gaza?
Almost 2 million people have been forced from their homes in Gaza. Nearly the entire population has been displaced multiple times, often under continued shelling and aerial bombardments. Over 60 percent of buildings have been destroyed.
People are sheltering together in overcrowded schools, mosques, tents, and makeshift shelters. Many are staying with family and friends, all while facing a lack of power and limited access to water, food, hygiene, and health services.
Ibrahim Al Batran and his family were displaced by the bombardment. He was diagnosed just 20 days before the war began with kidney failure; now he receives dialysis treatments at al-Aqsa Hospital in Southern Gaza. Due to his health condition, Ibrahim cannot rely on low-quality canned food items, which do not meet his dietary requirements. Additionally, he cannot afford vegetables, which are scarce and sold at exorbitant prices.
“We always evacuate to places close to hospitals to continue medical care,” Ibrahim said. “We had to go south. When we got there, there was no food. If there was food, it was too expensive. You can’t afford it.”
How did we get to this?
On October 7th, 2023, Hamas and other armed Palestinian groups carried out appalling, brutal attacks on civilians in Israel. A total of 1,139 people were killed and 240 people were taken hostage. Around 100 people still remain hostage in Gaza.
The Government of Israel responded by launching air strikes and ground attacks in Gaza, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and injuries to Palestinian civilians. Israel also announced it was imposing a “total siege,” stopping all supplies of food, water, and fuel from entering Gaza.
Between the 7th and 17th of October, no food at all crossed into Gaza, forcing the population to use up what they had. On the 13th, Israel ordered the evacuation of more than a million people from northern Gaza. The directive gave them just hours to pack up and leave their homes, which meant their food supplies and access to agricultural land were lost overnight. More than 84 percent of Gaza has been placed under evacuation orders by the Israeli military.
The Israeli military has occupied Palestinian territory, which includes Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, for 56 years. Israel has also imposed a blockade on Gaza since 2007, which has devastated Gaza's economy, left most people unable to leave, restricted them from essential services such as healthcare, and cut Palestinians off from each other.
For the proposed ceasefire to succeed, Oxfam is calling for Israel to end the blockade of Gaza and the occupation of the Palestinian Territory.
What is Oxfam doing in Gaza?
In collaboration with 20 partner organizations in Gaza, Oxfam has supported more than 1.2 million people with lifesaving assistance, including food assistance and hygiene support since October 7th.
- Emergency food assistance, including vegetable baskets, food parcels, cash, and vouchers..
- Clean water and sanitation, by trucking in water and repairing badly damaged water and wastewater pipelines, as well as installing desalination units and tap stands and latrines.
- Oxfam helped partners in Gaza distribute hygiene kits, jerry cans and buckets for storing clean water, and other hygiene items to people affected by the conflict in Gaza.
Oxfam partners include the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, the Economic and Social Development Center of Palestine, the Palestinian Agriculture and Relief Commission, and the Palestinian Development Association. They are providing psychological first aid training and counseling to youth, as well as supplies like food parcels, clothes, blankets, menstrual products, and toothpaste. This assistance is reaching those living in makeshift shelters in the northern and southern region of the Gaza Strip.
Oxfam continues to advocate for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and full humanitarian access to Gaza. Oxfam has worked in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel since the 1950s. We have supported communities in Gaza, West Bank and East Jerusalem (where the Government of Israel maintains full military and civil control) to tackle the root causes of conflict, build resilience to sudden shocks, and protect their rights.
What needs to happen now?
- Full implementation of the proposed ceasefire
- End the total siege and allow unfettered access for humanitarian relief
- The protection of all civilians, including the release of all hostages
- The U.S. should end lethal arms sales to Israel
- Israel should take all measures within its power to prevent the risk of genocide
The need for peace
A ceasefire must also be a precursor to creating a lasting and just peace for all Palestinians and Israelis. To break the cycle of violence, the international community must tackle the root causes of injustice and violence that are being perpetrated under the Israeli occupation and blockade of Gaza.
Military force cannot resolve this decades-long conflict and the continuing violence is not bringing us any closer to the peace that Palestinians and Israelis need and deserve.
The U.S. and others must now do all in their power to push for the ceasefire to be fully implemented with increased access and improved conditions for a surge of aid and other vital goods. The deal must be just the first step towards a path to sustainable peace and security for all Palestinians and Israelis. We cannot have this fragile progress undermined by policies that do not respect the lives, dignity and future of Israelis and Palestinians equally.
Israel must take all measures within its power to prevent the risk of genocide
The International Court of Justice found it plausible that Israel’s acts could amount to genocide and ordered Israel to:
- Take all measures within its power to prevent the risk of genocidal acts.
- Make sure aid and services reach Palestinians under siege in Gaza.
The international community also has a responsibility under international law to act swiftly to prevent any actions that could contribute to genocide.
Find out more
- For the most reliable updates on the situation, visit the UN OCHA website.
- Donate to our Gaza and Israel Emergency Appeal.