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.
People across Gaza face a worsening humanitarian crisis as Israeli forces continue their military campaign.
- There is now a “strong likelihood” that famine is imminent in areas of northern Gaza.
- Close to 133,000 people inside Gaza face catastrophic levels of hunger. This number could nearly triple in the coming months during the winter season.
- Israel is actively obstructing the delivery of international aid. The number of aid shipments being let into the Gaza Strip is lower now than at any time since the war began.
- The black market price for diapers has increased by 620 percent.
- The Palestinian health authority reported Gaza’s first case of polio in 25 years, sparking an urgent effort to vaccinate 640,000 children.
Having declared a “total siege” on Gaza, the Government of Israel has displaced almost 90 percent of the population and severed Palestinians in Gaza from water, food, shelter, electricity, fuel, and other vital supplies. People are consequently facing starvation, death, and disease.
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.
As of October, the war has decimated 70 percent of Gaza’s cropland. Farms, orchards, and greenhouses have been destroyed, and over the past few months, only a fraction of food that used to be delivered daily has been allowed through.
Now the entire population in Gaza doesn’t have enough food. Children are dying of malnutrition and dehydration. The price of foods—including lentils, salt, and tomatoes—has increased dramatically. For example, the price of a 2-pound bag of potatoes is now approaching $100 according to Oxfam staff in northern Gaza. To buy food, more than half of the households in Gaza have been forced to exchange their clothes for money.
Without a ceasefire, and an end to the siege, it is extremely difficult for the international humanitarian system to safely distribute aid and help protect the lives of civilians.
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.
Now, more than 2 million people are 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.
“Today, Palestinians in Gaza have almost no water to drink, let alone to bathe, cook, or clean," said Scott Paul, Oxfam America's Associate Director of Peace & Stability. "Prime Minister Netanyahu must restore sufficient water, food, electricity, and other vital assistance for all people in Gaza."
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. Today, 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.
What is Oxfam doing in Gaza?
In collaboration with 20 partner organizations in Gaza, Oxfam has supported more than 1.1 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?
- An immediate and permanent 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 a permanent ceasefire
The international community, including the U.S., must use all tools at their disposal to secure a permanent ceasefire as this is the only way to stop the indiscriminate death and destruction, ensure the safe release of hostages, and get more aid to those who need it.
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.
Allow unfettered access to humanitarian relief
The Government of Israel must end the total siege of Gaza and allow enough humanitarian aid, including medical supplies, food, fuel, and water can reach all those who need it.
Protect all civilians and release the hostages
All parties in any conflict must protect civilians during military action and uphold International Humanitarian Law. This means ensuring the unconditional release of all remaining hostages held captive by Hamas, and the protection of civilian infrastructure in Gaza, such as hospitals and schools.
The U.S. must stop selling arms to Israel
The Biden administration should follow U.S. law and immediately end lethal arms sales to Israel. The U.S. government is complicit in this catastrophe until it stops fueling the conflict with arms and military support. Stopping arms transfers is an important step towards securing the permanent ceasefire that people desperately need.
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.