Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Winter Claims Lives and Hunger Looms
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with the brutal winter of 2025 claiming the lives of eight newborns due to hypothermia and 74 children succumbing to the harsh conditions. “We enter this New Year carrying the same horrors as the last – there’s been no progress and no solace. Children are now freezing to death,” said Louise Wateridge from the UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, in a statement to UN News.
The ongoing conflict between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian armed groups has exacerbated the suffering. Relentless IDF operations have caused mass casualties and widespread destruction, while rocket fire from Palestinian groups continues to endanger Israeli civilians. “The Secretary-General again strongly condemns the widespread killing of – and injury to – civilians in this conflict,” stated Stéphane Dujarric,the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson,during a briefing.
Hunger Crisis Worsens Amid Supply Shortages
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The hunger crisis in Gaza is grinding on, with critical shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that UN humanitarian partners have tired all supplies in their warehouses in Central and Southern Gaza. Despite this, Israeli authorities continue to deny moast requests to transport food assistance from the Erez West crossing to areas south of Wadi Gaza.
Approximately 120,000 metric tonnes of food assistance—enough to feed the entire population for over three months—remains stranded outside the Strip. UN partners warn that without additional supplies,the distribution of food parcels will remain severely limited. “More than 50 community kitchens providing over 200,000 meals a day to peopel in central and southern Gaza would also be at risk of shutting down in the coming days,” Dujarric added.
impossible Choices for Aid Workers
The situation is dire for aid workers, who face impossible choices due to the lack of fuel to power generators. According to the World Food Program (WFP), only five of 20 bakeries supported by the agency remain operational, all located within Gaza governorate. These bakeries rely on fuel deliveries from southern Gaza, but the scarcity of fuel is crippling the health system and putting patients’ lives at risk.
North Gaza: A Humanitarian nightmare
Conditions in north Gaza are notably alarming. The movement of humanitarian personnel is heavily restricted, and ongoing attacks have severely disrupted healthcare services. Al Awda Hospital in Jabalya, the only partially functioning hospital in the region, faces extreme access limitations. OCHA reports that Israeli authorities have denied UN-led efforts to reach the area, with only five out of 15 missions facilitated across the Strip.
“In Gaza, parents and children remain missing beneath rubble, separated or detained – their fates unanswered. Hope is silenced, and the brutal war rages on,” said Wateridge.
The Path Forward
despite these challenges, the UN and its partners are working tirelessly to provide critical support.Between 22 December and 8 January, 560,000 people in Gaza received primary and secondary healthcare services. The Secretary-general has called on all parties to respect international humanitarian law,emphasizing that “civilians must be protected and respected at all times and their essential needs must be met.”
He also demanded an immediate ceasefire and the unconditional release of all hostages held in Gaza.
Key statistics
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Child Deaths | 74 children and 8 newborns died due to winter conditions in January 2025. |
| Food Assistance | 120,000 metric tonnes stranded outside Gaza, enough for 3+ months of rations.|
| Operational Bakeries | 5 out of 20 WFP-supported bakeries remain operational. |
| healthcare Services | 560,000 people received healthcare services between 22 Dec and 8 Jan.|
The international community must act swiftly to address this deepening crisis. The people of Gaza cannot endure another year of such unimaginable suffering.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis: Winter Deaths, Hunger, and the Struggle for Survival
As the winter of 2025 tightens its grip, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels. With eight newborns and 74 children succumbing to hypothermia and harsh conditions,the situation is dire. The ongoing conflict between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Palestinian armed groups has exacerbated the suffering, leaving thousands without access to food, fuel, or medical supplies.To shed light on this deepening crisis, we spoke with Dr. Amina Khalid, a renowned humanitarian expert and professor of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford, who has spent decades working in conflict zones.
The Winter Crisis: Children Freezing to Death
Senior Editor: Dr. Khalid, the reports of children freezing to death in Gaza are heartbreaking. can you explain how the winter conditions have compounded the existing humanitarian crisis?
Dr. Amina Khalid: Absolutely. Gaza’s infrastructure has been decimated by years of conflict, leaving families without adequate shelter, heating, or access to basic necessities. The winter months have brought freezing temperatures, and without proper insulation or fuel for heating, vulnerable populations—especially children and newborns—are at extreme risk. hospitals are overwhelmed, and many families are forced to burn whatever they can find to stay warm, which is both perilous and insufficient. The lack of international aid reaching Gaza has made this a life-or-death situation for thousands.
The Hunger Crisis: Food Shortages and Stranded Aid
Senior Editor: The hunger crisis in Gaza is worsening, with 120,000 metric tonnes of food assistance stranded outside the Strip. What are the main obstacles to delivering this aid, and what are the consequences for the population?
Dr. Amina Khalid: The primary obstacle is the restriction on the movement of humanitarian aid by Israeli authorities. Despite repeated appeals from the UN and other organizations, most requests to transport food through key crossings like erez west are denied. This has left warehouses empty and community kitchens on the brink of shutting down.The consequences are devastating—families are skipping meals, malnutrition rates are soaring, and children are particularly vulnerable to long-term health impacts. Without immediate action, we could see a important increase in preventable deaths due to starvation.
Impractical Choices for Aid Workers
Senior Editor: Aid workers in Gaza are facing impossible choices due to fuel shortages.How is this affecting their ability to provide critical services?
Dr. Amina Khalid: fuel is the lifeblood of humanitarian operations in Gaza. Without it, hospitals cannot power generators, ambulances cannot run, and bakeries cannot produce bread. The World Food Program reports that only five out of 20 bakeries they support are operational,and even these are struggling to function. Aid workers are forced to prioritize which lives to save, knowing that every decision leaves others at risk. It’s an unbearable situation that highlights the urgent need for unrestricted access to fuel and other essential supplies.
North Gaza: A Humanitarian Nightmare
Senior Editor: Conditions in north gaza are described as particularly alarming. What’s happening there, and why is it so difficult for humanitarian organizations to operate?
Dr. Amina Khalid: North Gaza is a humanitarian nightmare. Ongoing attacks have destroyed much of the region’s infrastructure,and movement is heavily restricted. Al Awda hospital in Jabalya, the only partially functioning hospital in the area, is barely operational due to access limitations. UN-led missions to deliver aid are frequently denied, leaving thousands without access to healthcare, food, or clean water. The situation is compounded by the fact that many families are trapped under rubble or separated from loved ones, with no way to seek help.
The Path Forward: Calls for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Access
Senior Editor: Despite these challenges, the UN and its partners continue to work tirelessly.What steps are needed to address this crisis, and what role can the international community play?
Dr. Amina Khalid: The first and most urgent step is an immediate ceasefire. the violence must stop to allow humanitarian organizations to operate safely and effectively.Second,Israeli authorities must lift restrictions on the movement of aid and allow unrestricted access to Gaza. The international community has a critical role to play in applying diplomatic pressure to ensure these measures are implemented. Additionally,increased funding for humanitarian operations is essential to address the immediate needs of the population. Without these actions, the suffering in Gaza will only deepen, and more lives will be lost.
Key Statistics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Child Deaths | 74 children and 8 newborns died due to winter conditions in January 2025. |
| Food Assistance | 120,000 metric tonnes stranded outside Gaza, enough for 3+ months of rations. |
| Operational Bakeries | 5 out of 20 WFP-supported bakeries remain operational. |
| Healthcare Services | 560,000 people received healthcare services between 22 Dec and 8 Jan. |
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Khalid, for your insights. It’s clear that the situation in Gaza demands urgent action from the global community. We can only hope that the voices of those suffering are heard and that meaningful steps are taken to alleviate their plight.
