New Delhi, July 26: The United Nations has raised grave concerns over the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, where starvation and malnutrition are claiming more lives as military operations continue unabated. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported on Friday that the humanitarian system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse, with critical supplies and services dwindling to dangerous levels.

“Life is being drained out of Gaza,” OCHA stated, highlighting that local health authorities reported two additional deaths from starvation on Thursday. The crisis is compounded by severe food insecurity, with vulnerable groups such as women, children, the elderly, and chronically ill facing elevated risks.

The limited flow of aid into the besieged enclave remains woefully inadequate, OCHA warned. The scarcity of food is particularly dire for pregnant and breastfeeding women, putting newborns at heightened risk of complications.

In a related development, Israel has reportedly agreed to allow Jordan and the United Arab Emirates to airdrop humanitarian supplies into Gaza, as reported by The Times of Israel, citing an Israeli military civil affairs unit. The UN has welcomed all efforts to deliver aid but reiterated that road transport remains the most effective method.

“We reiterate that the most efficient way to bring in supplies is by road,” said UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay. “It is imperative that aid is allowed through all crossings and corridors.”

Meanwhile, the UN is assessing a potential collaboration with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation—a US-run, Israeli-backed system that channels aid through four militarized hubs instead of the traditional UN network of over 400 community-based distribution points. UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher emphasized that any such collaboration must uphold the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality, and independence.

OCHA stressed that safe and sustained humanitarian access remains severely lacking. On Thursday alone, only 8 out of 15 coordinated humanitarian movements were approved, while fuel supplies remain insufficient to keep essential facilities operational.

“If Israel opens the crossings, lets in fuel and equipment, and allows humanitarian staff to work safely, the UN can scale up its delivery of food, water, medical aid, and shelter materials,” OCHA affirmed.

Despite mounting needs, constraints imposed by Israeli authorities continue to significantly hamper humanitarian efforts, as Gaza teeters on the edge of an even deeper humanitarian catastrophe.