The suspension of humanitarian aid in Gaza puts the lives of millions of Palestinians at risk

The ceasefire in Gaza has led to humanitarian progress since January 2025. However, the recent decision to suspend the entry of humanitarian aid, announced on 2 March 2025, will put the lives of millions of Palestinians at risk and make the work of humanitarian organisations extremely difficult.

Action Against Hunger calls on the international community to support the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza and stresses the importance of a lasting ceasefire to allow the continued flow of aid, the reconstruction of Gaza, and the return of remaining hostages.

Although still limited, the inflow of humanitarian aid had increased since the ceasefire agreement. It had allowed in more fuel, essential for the functioning of health, water and sanitation infrastructures. Moreover, humanitarian personnel could provide aid to previously isolated areas of Gaza. “More food was being allowed in Gaza, and this allowed us to increase aid where we couldn’t access it before”, explains Natalia Anguera, Head of Middle East Operations at Action Against Hunger. “We were planning to enter much needed food aid next week to support a community kitchen in Gaza city, helping over 4,000 people during the month of Ramadan, but the current restriction prevents us from being able to do so.”

Before humanitarian aid stopped this past Sunday, an average of nearly 300 trucks a day were entering Gaza since the ceasefire. This was still far short of what should be coming in based on the current needs of the population, and far short of what was agreed in the ceasefire. “After fifteen months of displacement and conflict, the population depends on humanitarian aid. The inflow of humanitarian aid should be much higher to try to compensate for everything that has been lost so far“, explains Natalia Anguera.

Although food prices had reduced on the markets with the ceasefire, they have risen again since the suspension of humanitarian aid. “We have to take into account that most people don’t have jobs, so they don’t have a regular income. Purchasing power is still very limited. In Action Against Hunger, we are running cash assistance programmes, which were much more efficient at the time when prices had come down a bit,” explains an Action Against Hunger worker in Gaza.

Humanitarian needs remain enormous, and the distribution of water, tents and hygiene kits is an absolute priority for Action Against Hunger. The entire population, previously crammed into the south, now finds itself also into the north, where there is no infrastructure and almost no buildings left. While Gazans have to move back into camps, they are exposed to pollution and the risk of disease.