Oxfam: Humanitarian operations in Gaza severely hampered; famine risks increasing

Gaza is once again at increasing risk of famine as the life-saving humanitarian response is being severely hampered by Israel's renewed military assault and the impact of the 23-day siege which is again blocking essential aid supplies, Oxfam warned today.

Food supplies are severely depleted as Israeli authorities are denying entry to trucks loaded with 63,000 metric tons of food for 1.1 million people. Israeli authorities have also denied access to Oxfam shipments of six desalination units and seven trucks of water and sanitation infrastructure, up to 85 per cent of which has been destroyed by Israel’s bombing campaign.

At the same time, humanitarian operations have been gravely hindered by the absence of guarantees of safety for aid workers moving around Gaza.

On 23 March, three sewage operators from the Abasan Al Kabira municipality working with Oxfam’s partner Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) were killed while performing their duties when their clearly marked truck was destroyed in an attack by Israeli military.

Oxfam partner, Juzoor for Health and Social Development, had its centre in Jabalia which had been helping over 1000 patients daily, destroyed in an airstrike on 18 March.

Dr Umaiyeh Khammash, Director of Juzoor, said: "Every airstrike that hits, threatens the lives and safety of our dedicated staff and the patients they serve. This centre is not just a building; it's the heartbeat of healthcare for countless families here. Without it, many will lose access to crucial medical care."

Israel’s renewed bombardment of residential areas, including Jabalia and Khan Younis, has killed almost 700 people, including at least 200 children since 18 March. Israeli authorities have issued new mass forced displacement orders, forcing around 120,000 Palestinians to flee across at least 37 percent of Gaza. These orders are causing panic and chaos in the absence of anywhere safe in Gaza.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s Occupied Palestinian Territory Policy lead, said: “For the past 535 days, Israel has been systematically weaponizing life-saving aid, inflicting collective punishment upon the population of Gaza. The denial of food, water, fuel and electricity is a war crime and a crime against humanity. Many within the international community are enabling this by their silence, inaction and complicity.”

Oxfam is calling for a renewed ceasefire, which must be permanent and accompanied by the safe return of Israeli hostages and illegally detained Palestinian prisoners. Israel must provide unfettered aid at scale. Oxfam said that governments must stop transferring arms, while the international community must enforce international law. We reiterate our call for justice and accountability for all those affected.

During the recent ceasefire, an average of more than 4,000 trucks per week entered Gaza despite Israeli authorities initially only partially opening the crossings and denying much of the urgently needed reconstruction materials. Oxfam reached almost 200,000 people with essential humanitarian aid in the six-week period.

Khalidi said: “During the 42-day ceasefire families in Gaza could finally fall asleep knowing their loved ones would still be beside them when they woke up. Even though aid that entered was not enough—far from enough—it was something. The price of food stabilized. Supermarkets reopened. Bakeries began running again. Many people even went to their homes or what was left of it, and tried to repair and rebuild, however little they could.”

/ENDS

For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact: Sarah Dransfield in the Oxfam Press Office, on 07884 114825 / sdransfield@oxfam.org.uk

Notes to Editors:

· Since Israel's breach of the ceasefire and airstrikes on Gaza on 18 March, Oxfam staff movements have been severely restricted in the absence of a notification system. This week, Oxfam's progammes in Gaza, including those of many partners, have been severely impacted. Oxfam is still able to undertake some water trucking and multipurpose cash distribution, but under high-risk conditions

· Since 2 March, Israeli authorities have re-imposed a total siege, blockading the entire Gaza Strip. It is banning the entry of any humanitarian basic supplies, including water, food, medical supplies and fuel, as well as banning any commercial supplies to enter Gaza.

· On 10 March, Israeli authorities cut off electricity supply to the only operational large-scale desalination plant for drinking water. With the exception of that last remaining, intermittent electricity feed to the desalination plant, Gaza has been under an electricity blackout since 11 October 2023.

· The current siege is one week longer than in 2023, when the Israeli authorities imposed a total siege that lasted from 7-21 October 2023.

· According to the IPC Special Snapshot – September 2024 – April 2025, the risk of Famine between November 2024 and April 2025 persists as long as conflict continues, and humanitarian access is restricted

· According to the Palestinian Water Authority, 85% of the water and sanitation infrastructure in Gaza is destroyed as a result of Israel's bombing campaign.