Gaza Herald – The Government Media Office (GMO) in Gaza warned on Monday of an unprecedented escalation in the humanitarian catastrophe facing the Gaza Strip as Eid al-Adha approaches, amid the continuing Israeli blockade and restrictions on the entry of sacrificial animals and essential humanitarian supplies.
In a statement, the office said more than 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza are enduring extremely harsh living conditions as food shortages intensify and basic survival needs become increasingly difficult to secure.
The statement highlighted a severe and growing shortage of essential food items alongside the near collapse of food security across the enclave, driven by restrictions on commercial goods and humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Officials stressed that the available supplies are far below minimum humanitarian needs, especially as poverty, mass displacement, and the destruction of livelihoods continue to spread throughout the territory.
The office added that restrictions on fuel and essential materials have severely disrupted supply chains, fueled soaring prices, and weakened the operational capacity of bakeries, critical facilities, and public services, raising fears of further deterioration during Eid al-Adha under what it described as exceptional and catastrophic conditions.
Regarding humanitarian aid deliveries, the statement noted that current truck entry rates remain far below agreed levels. Under the ceasefire arrangements, 600 aid trucks, including 50 fuel trucks, were supposed to enter Gaza daily. However, only 37% of the agreed number of trucks have reportedly been allowed in, while fuel deliveries reached just 14% of the required amount.
According to the office, only 1,196 trucks entered Gaza over the past week out of an expected 4,200 trucks, representing a compliance rate of just 28.4%, which is grossly insufficient to meet mounting humanitarian, medical, and food needs.
The statement also warned of a severe shortage of livestock and sacrificial animals due to years-long restrictions on their entry into Gaza, making this year’s Eid season far removed from its traditional character amid soaring prices and dwindling livestock supplies.
The Government Media Office said the continuation of these conditions deepens the humanitarian disaster and reflects a policy of collective punishment imposed on civilians, in violation of international humanitarian law.
It called on the international community, the United Nations, and humanitarian organizations to urgently pressure Israel to fully reopen Gaza’s crossings and allow the unrestricted entry of aid, fuel, essential goods, and livestock in order to alleviate civilian suffering and enable Palestinians to live with dignity and observe their religious traditions.
