UN warns of desperate conditions in Gaza as conflict escalates

New Delhi, Oct 15: The situation in northern Gaza is “desperate,” according to the UN, which has delivered the first food aid to the region in over two weeks. Around 400,000 Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, where the UN has condemned the “large number of civilian casualties” in recent days.

Hundreds of people are reported to have been killed since Israel launched its offensive in the north, aiming to eliminate Hamas fighters believed to have regrouped in the area. This offensive has led to the closure of water wells, bakeries, medical points, and shelters, the UN said.

The civilian population in Gaza, heavily reliant on international aid, has borne the brunt of these clashes. Israel’s blockade of Gaza, citing security concerns, has severely restricted the movement of goods and people, worsening humanitarian conditions, especially during periods of intense conflict. The current situation is one of the most severe in recent years, as civilians find themselves trapped in escalating violence with limited access to basic services.