Israel-Hamas war: A critical analysis of humanitarian challenges and UN agencies response

Abstract

The war between Israel and Hamas has led to a critical humanitarian disaster in Gaza, resulting in over 45,000 fatalities, 1.9 million people displaced, and almost complete destruction of infrastructure. This research investigates the response from the UN, highlighting the obstacles faced in providing aid due to political and operational challenges. Although agencies like UNRWA, WFP, and UNESCO have made attempts to deliver food, shelter, and safety, their efforts were obstructed by funding reductions, restrictions on access, and geopolitical conflicts. UN resolutions demanding ceasefires and the facilitation of humanitarian access have been undermined by a lack of enforcement mechanisms, limiting their effectiveness. The results emphasize the ongoing shortcomings in safeguarding civilians and supplying impartial aid during wartime. The current situation emphasizes the necessity for more robust international frameworks to enforce humanitarian laws, guarantee unbiased funding, and reinvigorate diplomatic approaches that tackle underlying issues. Without necessary structural changes, such extensive human suffering is likely to recur in future conflicts.