The United States is set to announce nearly $336 million in additional humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, according to a statement from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) cited by Reuters on Monday.
This funding will help USAID’s partners continue to provide vital humanitarian assistance, including food, healthcare, nutrition, and other essential services. The aid will also offer emergency shelter support for displaced families in Gaza ahead of the winter season.
Humanitarian Crisis Worsens in Gaza and the West Bank
The statement highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the West Bank, noting the severe impact of the year-long conflict on both Palestinians and Israelis. “This ongoing conflict has taken the lives of innocent Palestinians and Israelis, leaving Gaza and the West Bank in a state of humanitarian emergency,” the statement reads.
The funding aims to address the urgent needs of civilians, while the U.S. continues to call on all parties to agree to a ceasefire, the release of hostages, and allow immediate expansion of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza.
The Impact of the Ongoing Conflict
The conflict between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7, when Hamas militants attacked Israeli towns, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of 250 others, according to Israeli sources.
In response, the Israeli military has conducted widespread operations in Gaza, leading to massive displacement. The Palestinian health authorities report that over 41,000 people have been killed and most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been forced to flee their homes, exacerbating issues of hunger and disease.
Aid Delivery Challenges
Efforts by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt to mediate a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have yet to yield success. According to a USAID spokesperson, the agency’s partners continue delivering aid to Gaza’s residents, but security concerns and logistical barriers hinder the expansion of aid efforts to meet the needs of the entire population.
The United Nations has also raised long-standing concerns about obstacles to delivering aid during the conflict, citing what it calls a state of “total chaos” in the besieged Gaza Strip.
To date, nearly 300 humanitarian workers, including over 200 UN staff, have been killed during the conflict in Gaza.
