The United Nations has warned that humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip continues to face serious delays, as aid cargo is routinely deprioritized in favor of commercial goods, exacerbating already dire conditions for displaced families amid worsening winter weather.

In a briefing reported by UN News on Tuesday, December 17, 2025, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that despite ongoing efforts by the UN and its humanitarian partners, the pace of aid delivery remains far below what is needed on the ground.

“Despite sustained efforts by the UN and its partners, we continue to provide a response, but the needs outpace the speed with which we can respond,” said Olga Cherevko, an OCHA spokesperson.

Supplies Restricted, Critical Items Blocked

Cherevko noted that the volume of humanitarian supplies entering Gaza remains severely limited. She said Israeli authorities continue to block a growing list of essential items, including heavy machinery, equipment, and spare parts needed to repair damaged water, sanitation, electricity, and shelter infrastructure.

These restrictions, she warned, are hampering life-saving operations at a time when hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are struggling to survive without adequate shelter, heating, or basic services.

Limited Routes and Crossings

According to OCHA, major logistical constraints persist inside Gaza as well. The number of routes available for transporting aid within the territory remains restricted, and the crossings through which humanitarian supplies can enter are limited and unpredictable.

“Inside Gaza, the number of routes available for transporting aid remains limited, as do the crossings through which supplies can enter,” Cherevko said.

She stressed that all impediments to humanitarian access must be lifted to allow aid agencies to respond effectively to the escalating crisis.

Needs Rising Faster Than Aid

As winter storms continue to batter the enclave, the UN warned that humanitarian needs are increasing at a faster rate than aid can be delivered. Displaced families, many living in makeshift shelters or damaged buildings, are facing exposure to cold temperatures, flooding, and shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.

“We have the capacity to respond,” Cherevko emphasized, “but we are constrained at a time when people’s needs are increasing faster than we can meet them.”

The UN has repeatedly called for unimpeded humanitarian access to Gaza, warning that continued delays and restrictions risk deepening an already catastrophic humanitarian situation. (ILKHA)