As reported in Israel’s Gaza Atrocity by the Numbers (4/27/25) by University of Michigan Professor Juan Cole, no aid, including fuel, has entered Gaza since March 2, “worsening a catastrophic humanitarian crisis.”
Professor Cole points out that denying a civilian, occupied population life-saving aid is a war crime “according to the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute.” Cole reports that Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), “accuses Israeli authorities of using aid as a weapon of war and has demanded action to end the siege.”
Among the horrifying numbers Cole quotes from an UNRWA publication::
Between 7 October 2023 and 22 April 2025, the Gaza Ministry of Health reports at least 51,266 Palestinians killed and 116,991 wounded, including thousands of women and children. Over 290 UNRWA staff have been killed since October 2023.
About 40% of Gaza’s territory is under active displacement orders, with roughly 420,000 people newly displaced. About 2/3 of the Gaza Strip has been declared a “no-go” area.
Quoting again from the UNRWA report, Cole also says:
Critical supplies like food, fuel, medical aid, and vaccines are nearly exhausted; UNRWA has no more flour and only 250 food parcels remain.
On 22 April, Lazzarini warned that hunger is rapidly deepening, while almost 3,000 UNRWA trucks of aid are available at the border but blocked by Israeli troops from entering.
All UNRWA international staff have left Gaza and are banned from re-entry. Despite Israeli legislation targeting UNRWA, 12,000 Palestinian staff continue operating amid immense hardship.
UNRWA medical supplies are critically low, with 66% expected to run out within two months and a third already depleted.
Nearly 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.2 million has been uprooted, many multiple times. That would be 1,980,000 people deliberately made homeless. UNRWA shelters house over 90,000 displaced people.
In addition, Cole quotes a World Food Program analysis showing that food prices have increased by 150–700% above pre-war levels and up to 1,400% over ceasefire prices, while cooking gas prices rose by 4,000%. Professor Cole also says 50 million tons of debris “now choke Gaza’s infrastructure,”
while thirty Israeli strikes on 21–22 April destroyed over 30 bulldozers and vehicles vital for search-and-rescue, waste removal, and water services.
UPDATE from the comments, thanks to Elliott: “The International Court of Justice in the Hague just started hearings on Israel’s humanitarian aid obligations in Gaza.”
Over the next five days, 38 countries will then address the 15-judge panel, including the US, China, France, Russia and Saudi Arabia. The League of Arab States, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the African Union will also make submissions.
The hearings are being held at the request of the UN General Assembly, which voted in favour of asking the World Court to weigh in on Israel’s legal obligations last December. aje.io/...
