The United Nations (UN) and its humanitarian partners are intensifying their response to worsening crises in Gaza and Lebanon, where access restrictions, food shortages, and reconstruction challenges are pushing populations to the brink.
Humanitarian Update on Gaza
During a December 9 briefing, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric detailed recent developments in Gaza. Limited fuel deliveries earlier in the month enabled four bakeries in Gaza City to resume operations, allowing bread distribution to shelters and community kitchens.
Despite this progress, significant challenges persist. Bakeries in North Gaza and Rafah remain closed due to active hostilities, while those in Deir al Balah and Khan Younis face closures because of flour shortages and security concerns. To address these issues, UN teams are distributing 25-kilogram flour bags to families in southern and central Gaza.
Rising flour prices, however, are worsening the situation, with costs reaching as high as $280 per bag in Deir al Balah. Health services are also under severe strain, with malnutrition screenings reaching less than half of Gaza’s children under five in the last quarter of 2024. Despite logistical hurdles, supplementary food was distributed to 146,000 children in November.
Humanitarian Efforts in Lebanon
In Lebanon, the UN is supporting the government’s efforts to assist displaced populations in the south and Nabatieh governorates. On December 9, critical aid deliveries reached these areas, addressing urgent food and water needs.
Imran Riza, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, recently visited southern Beirut to evaluate the situation and coordinate recovery and reconstruction plans with local leaders. These efforts are crucial as Lebanon continues to grapple with instability linked to regional violence.
Security Council and Resolutions
The UN Security Council convened a closed-door meeting on December 9 to discuss Gaza’s deteriorating situation. Sigrid Kaag, UN Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator, stressed the need for international cooperation to ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need.
Two draft resolutions are expected to be voted on soon. One calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, following the failure of a similar resolution due to a US veto. The second urges Israel to allow the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) to continue its operations, after Israel’s recent decision to ban the agency’s activities beginning January 28.
Broader Regional Impact
The conflict has exacted a devastating toll. In Gaza, over 44,700 people, mostly women and children, have died since October last year due to Israeli military actions. In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have killed more than 4,000 people and displaced over one million since late 2023.
International Accountability
In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity related to Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice, and Amnesty International has concluded that its actions in Gaza amount to genocide.
The international community now faces critical decisions, with upcoming UN votes and escalating humanitarian needs in Gaza and Lebanon requiring urgent and coordinated action.
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