The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached a critical point, with the United Nations warning that the territory is on the brink of collapse. Olga Cherevko, a representative of the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, described the devastating landscape of war-torn Gaza, where hospitals are running out of blood supplies, fuel is scarce, and basic necessities like water are sparking conflicts among civilians. The situation is so dire that children are scavenging for fuel, and shelters are being bombed, leaving people to flee with nothing.

According to Cherevko, “Gaza lies in ruins,” a grim reality that is hard to ignore. The desperation in Gaza has been compounded by a recent incident in which a ship carrying humanitarian aid was struck by drones in international waters off Malta. The Freedom Flotilla Coalition reported that the explosion, which was caught on video, ignited a fire on the vessel Conscience, but fortunately, no injuries were reported. However, the group has accused Israel of targeting the aid ship, a claim that Israel has not addressed. This incident bears a striking resemblance to the deadly 2010 raid on the Mavi Marmara, which occurred during a previous attempt to break the blockade.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic, with over 52,000 Palestinians reportedly killed in the ongoing conflict and most of the territory left in ruins. Cherevko’s words serve as a stark reminder of the global community’s responsibility to act: “To keep scrolling through the grisly images of Gaza being suffocated and starved, or muster the courage to break this merciless blockade.” The international community is faced with a choice – to continue witnessing the suffering of the Palestinian people or to take action to bring an end to the blockade and alleviate the humanitarian crisis. As the situation continues to deteriorate, it remains to be seen how the global community will respond to this urgent call to action.