The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) warned that Israeli authorities are holding 6,000 agency-owned trucks loaded with enough food supplies to sustain Gaza’s population for three months, as the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate.

UNRWA Media Advisor Adnan Abu Hasna told Al Jazeera that these trucks also contain hundreds of thousands of tents, blankets, and other vital supplies intended for approximately 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. While some aid has entered Gaza since the recent ceasefire, Abu Hasna emphasized that the current flow of supplies remains far below the level required to address the vast humanitarian needs.

“Although more trucks are entering Gaza compared to before the ceasefire, it is nowhere near sufficient for the millions of people who depend entirely on aid,” Abu Hasna said. He added that the agency has repeatedly requested permission to deliver critical items such as medical equipment, sanitation supplies, water purification parts, spare equipment for desalination plants, and international humanitarian personnel, but most of these requests have been denied. Instead, Israeli authorities continue to prioritize goods for commercial purposes over humanitarian shipments.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has intensified in recent weeks. Heavy rainfall, combined with damaged infrastructure, has caused flooding in many displacement camps, mixing rainwater with sewage and leaving thousands of temporary shelters at risk of collapse. Children in these areas are particularly vulnerable, exposed to unsanitary conditions, disease outbreaks, and limited access to clean water.

Municipal officials told Al Jazeera that the current fuel shortage is the worst since the war began two years ago, paralyzing essential public services. Many municipal machines, lacking new parts, have stopped functioning, making waste collection, water pumping, and emergency services nearly impossible in several neighborhoods.

UNRWA officials stressed that the continuation of these restrictions could push Gaza “back to zero,” effectively undoing months of relief efforts. Abu Hasna further highlighted that the agency’s staff and the remaining Palestinian Authority employees are struggling to maintain operations, while the majority of Gaza’s population relies entirely on humanitarian assistance due to the collapse of purchasing power.

International organizations and aid groups have called for urgent action to ensure safe passage for humanitarian shipments, warning that the prolonged restrictions will exacerbate the already fragile living conditions of Gaza residents. While Israel has allowed some food, flour, and basic medical supplies to enter, these measures remain insufficient to meet the needs of the population.

“Without immediate intervention, the situation will worsen dramatically.The population is dependent on international aid, and delays or denials of assistance directly threaten lives.” Abu Hasna said.

UNRWA continues to urge the international community to pressure Israeli authorities to allow unhindered access to aid shipments and to protect civilians living in one of the most densely populated conflict zones in the world.(ILKHA)