Hundreds of aid trucks waited Thursday near the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing, prepared to deliver much needed humanitarian assistance to the Gaza Strip following a US-Egyptian agreement to open it.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini described an "unprecedented catastrophe" in Gaza Strip, with millions trapped in the southern part, hospitals nearing capacity and clean water running out.
"An unprecedented catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes," Lazzarini said. "Gaza is being strangled and the world seems to have lost its humanity."
More than 3,785 people, including 1,524 children, have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since Oct. 7, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza, while 12,493 have been injured according to the Health Ministry figures. Hospitals across the territory are struggling to cope with the rising number of casualties amid a blackout and lack of supplies due to the blockade imposed by Israel. In the early days of the war, Israel imposed a "total siege" on Gaza, saying it will be eased once the hostages being held by Hamas are freed.
