U.N.: Fifty days of blockade have left Gaza facing critical shortages and mass displacement

The United Nations said Monday that it has recorded 50 days since Israeli authorities completely blocked incoming supplies into the Gaza Strip, restricting food, fuel, medicine and other essentials and precipitating a humanitarian collapse.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, cited in the briefing, said not a single truck carrying food, fuel, medicine or other essentials had been allowed in since early March. The U.N. said food stocks have run dangerously low, rations have been reduced, critical medicines and vaccines are nearly exhausted and ambulances have been forced to scale back life-saving services due to lack of fuel.

Why it matters: The U.N. warned that the blockade and continued hostilities have resulted in hundreds of thousands of newly displaced people, surges in attacks on civilians and aid workers, and a collapse of basic services. The U.N. also noted shortages of tents and that some warehouses inside Gaza have been made inaccessible because of forced displacement orders.

The spokesperson said the U.N. continues to call for protection of civilians, the release of hostages held by Hamas, opening Gaza to allow humanitarian aid, and the reinstatement of a ceasefire. The briefing also noted the U.N. had taken note of Israeli internal investigation findings that led to the dismissal of a commander over March 23 incidents involving first responders.

The U.N. did not release on the record a complete casualty toll for Gaza during this briefing and said many civilian deaths and incidents had not been widely reported.

Looking forward: The U.N. urged immediate measures to restore humanitarian access and called on parties to protect civilians and aid personnel.