Aid workers in Gaza are operating under increasingly perilous conditions as Israeli airstrikes continue to pound the enclave. In recent days, several strikes have landed alarmingly close to locations where humanitarian personnel were stationed, raising grave concerns over their safety. On two consecutive days this week, explosions occurred just a few hundred metres from sites where aid teams were working. Among those caught near the blasts was a UN-affiliated worker. Despite the proximity of the attacks, no injuries were reported in that instance.
However, the broader situation remains dire. The humanitarian sector in Gaza has suffered enormous losses, with well over a hundred aid workers killed since the beginning of last year. The ongoing bombardment has complicated not only the delivery of aid but also the efforts to maintain safe corridors for humanitarian operations.
The dangers facing medical responders have also escalated. During one incident, members of international and local emergency medical teams came under fire while en route to assist a wounded colleague who had been unreachable for several days. That colleague had sustained injuries earlier and was believed to be trapped in a heavily damaged area. Despite having secured prior clearance and coordination for their movements with relevant authorities, the team was targeted, and several responders were wounded.
Such incidents underscore the growing vulnerability of those working to provide lifesaving support in Gaza. The risks are compounded by the shrinking number of operational hospitals and the widespread destruction of roads, communication infrastructure, and transport systems. Aid groups are finding it harder than ever to reach those in need, even as the humanitarian crisis deepens by the day.
The mounting casualties among humanitarian workers serve as a sobering reminder of the collapse of protective norms in conflict zones. With coordinated movements offering little security, many aid organizations have had to pause or limit their outreach efforts, leaving countless civilians without critical assistance. The lack of respect for neutral humanitarian presence is not only endangering lives but also threatening the integrity of aid operations across the entire territory.
The situation calls for urgent and concrete measures to ensure the safety of humanitarian personnel. Clear, reliable guarantees of safe passage must be established and upheld by all parties involved. Without them, the capacity to deliver food, water, medicine, and shelter to displaced and wounded populations will continue to deteriorate, leading to even greater suffering and loss of life.
