Juliet Tumor, Communications Director for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), joined live from Amman to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The situation has become increasingly dire as the conflict drags on, leaving tens of thousands of civilians in desperate need of aid and basic supplies.

Tumor highlighted the severe challenges in getting essential humanitarian assistance into Gaza, especially after months of Israeli attacks and harsh weather conditions that have destroyed critical infrastructure, including tents used to shelter displaced families.

The flow of aid remains extremely limited, with only 60 to 80 trucks allowed into Gaza daily, a stark contrast to the massive needs on the ground. This supply shortage is compounded by the ongoing siege that has trapped the people of Gaza for over 15 months.

The UN official also expressed grave concerns about a new Israeli bill set to take effect on January 30, which could severely restrict UNRWA's ability to deliver aid in Gaza and the West Bank.

The bill threatens to further limit the movement of international aid workers, especially non-Palestinian staff, and could force UNRWA to pull out of key areas. Despite these challenges, Tumor reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to staying in Gaza and providing essential services, including education for 50,000 boys and girls at UN-run schools.

As the situation deteriorates, Tumor voiced her deepest fears for the future of Gaza, especially for the most vulnerable populations, including children, women, and the elderly. The humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels, with many facing famine, a lack of clean water, and insufficient shelter.

Tumor called for an immediate ceasefire to halt the violence and allow for increased humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, as well as the release of all hostages held by Hamas.

The ongoing war continues to take a devastating toll, with an alarming number of civilian casualties and ongoing attacks on medical facilities and staff.

Tumor emphasized the urgency of addressing the humanitarian crisis, stressing that the window for intervention is rapidly closing as the death toll rises and the situation worsens by the day.

Tumor urged the international community to act decisively, emphasizing that the lives of Gaza's civilians hang in the balance.

Without a ceasefire and a significant increase in aid, the conditions in Gaza could spiral even further into disaster, with the real possibility of a famine and worsening suffering for millions of innocent people.