Humanitarian Aid Entering Gaza Reaches Historic Low; 20 Aid Workers Killed in One Month

Thirty aid organizations operating in Gaza warn in the latest Humanitarian Access Snapshot that humanitarian aid entering Gaza has reached its lowest level in over a year amidst Israel’s intensified siege on northern Gaza, despite U.S. demands to improve access. The population in northern Gaza faces starvation, severe shortages of clean water, critical supply scarcity, and ever-increasing desperation. 

The ongoing Israeli bombardment, siege, and evacuation orders are severely hampering aid distribution. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 20 aid workers between October 10 and November 13. These staff were killed in displacement camps, at home, and while delivering life-saving assistance. Israeli forces killed aid workers both in areas under evacuation, such as Jabalia and Beit Lahia, and in the Government of Israel-designated “humanitarian zone,” underscoring that nowhere is safe for Palestinians. 

Palestinian and international organizations report that nearly all aid-delivery movements into and around northern Gaza between October 10 and November 13 were impeded, canceled, or delayed by Israeli authorities. Palestinian partner organizations working in northern Gaza, including Jabalia and Beit Lahia, have been forced to halt operations due to ongoing bombardment and continual displacements. 

The consequences of these restrictions are catastrophic as Gaza’s humanitarian crisis continues to escalate. An urgent alert by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on November 8 indicated a strong likelihood that famine conditions are already present in northern Gaza, requiring immediate intervention. This is a preventable crisis - No one should starve to death when food is waiting to reach them mere miles away. In October, an average of only 37 humanitarian trucks per day entered Gaza, increasing to 69 trucks per day in early November—still far below the pre-October 2023 average of 500 daily trucks, which was already insufficient to meet population needs. The Israeli government must facilitate unrestricted aid access and ensure the safety of all humanitarian personnel to deliver assistance. 

We call on all those with influence and power to take urgent action: to de-escalate and halt the unrelenting violence in Gaza, to protect civilians and aid workers, and to do everything possible to achieve an immediate and lasting ceasefire. 

Since October 2023, Mercy Corps has provided support to over 190,000 people in Gaza, including emergency cash, food and hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for young people and their caregivers through wellbeing sessions, mentoring workshops, and youth sports activities. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to persevering in our efforts to provide life-saving assistance now and to help rebuild lives and communities when a ceasefire is reached.   

For more information, please contact: 

• Milena Murr, Middle East Media & Communications Manager (based in Beirut), at mmurr@mercycorps.org 
• Natalie Fath, Director of Communications (based on the East Coast, U.S.), at nfath@mercycorps.org