A father plays with his 3-year-daughter in the middle of his tent in Rafah which he took refuge after losing his house and factory. (Photo: Alef Multimedia/Oxfam)
Israel’s war on Gaza, in response to the horrific attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October 2023, is the latest and most brutal onslaught of violence against Palestinians in the 57-year-long Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory.
The Oxfam team in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT) has launched a humanitarian response despite the unprecedented challenges. Along with a wide range of partner organisations, Oxfam started responding in the days after the crisis, delivering cash, food, and essential basic items, and restoring water and sanitation services.
Along with our 20 partner organisations, we have reached 776,917 people, prioritising the delivery of assistance based on their vulnerability.
A boy standing on his bombed house by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah that took place in mid-February 2024, a heavy attack by the Israeli military where around 100 Palestinians were killed in one night in Rafah only. (Photo: Alef Multimedia/Oxfam)
The situation on the ground
One year into Israel’s war on Gaza, the humanitarian situation is catastrophic.
Before October 2023, 80% of Gaza’s population already relied on some form of humanitarian assistance and people lived under severe restrictions.
Since the start of the war, more than 2 million Palestinians have been trapped inside Gaza, subject to terrifying bombardments, hunger, multiple forced displacements, and constant fear.
Part of Oxfam inspection for the food parcels that were to be distributed in North Gaza. (Photo: Jomana Elkhalili/Oxfam)
Under fire
One year into the war, a safe humanitarian response that meets the overwhelming needs of the people in Gaza has been made impossible by the actions of the Israeli Government.
Intense military operations by Israeli forces, including bombardments and ground operations, have continued to undermine humanitarian access and operations, placing affected communities and humanitarian workers and facilities at extreme risk.
289 aid workers killed.
By 19 August 2024, World Humanitarian Day, 289 aid workers had been killed in Gaza in Israeli airstrikes, making it the most dangerous and deadliest place in the world for aid workers.
Without a ceasefire, it is impossible for humanitarian staff to work safely and help protect the lives of civilians.
Duaa Mansour and her children are checking the food items in Oxfam food parcel distributed among displaced people. She and her husband are challenged to make food for their three children who lost significant weight during the Israel's war on Gaza. (Photo: Alef Multimedia Company/Oxfam)
Our response
Oxfam and partners prioritised the delivery of assistance based on people’s vulnerability, focusing on families with people with disabilities or chronic illnesses, families with children under the age of five, women or elderly-headed families, and people facing specific risks, such as survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
Oxfam staff, partners and suppliers in Gaza have been displaced themselves, and many organisations, including Oxfam, had to set up new offices in the south. As no place is safe in Gaza, Oxfam and partner staff are working under extremely challenging and life-threatening circumstances to deliver aid to their communities.
Looking ahead
If, and when, conditions allow, such as during any potential humanitarian pause, we intend to scale up our assistance.
In the coming months, Oxfam will contribute towards the implementation of the sector-wide Winterisation Plan for Gaza by, for example, repairing critical stormwater infrastructure to mitigate flooding risks, restore essential services and prevent the outbreak of diseases.
One year on, international efforts are needed now more than ever.
We must facilitate a peace process that will lead to a viable, permanent status agreement and ensure equality, security, dignity, sovereignty, justice and prosperity, both for Palestinians and Israelis.