SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The United Nations warned on Monday (4/14) that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is “likely the worst” since the start of Israeli military operations 18 months ago.

“This is likely the worst humanitarian situation since the conflict erupted,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, as quoted on Antara, during a press briefing at UN Headquarters, citing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

Dujarric stated that no aid has been allowed into Gaza for the past month and a half, marking the longest halt in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the conflict. He described the conditions as increasingly dire, with a surge in attacks causing high civilian casualties and destroying critical infrastructure.

He also condemned Israel’s issuance of four new evacuation orders over the weekend. 

“Civilians are now effectively trapped in increasingly fragmented and unsafe pockets of Gaza, while access to basic survival services continues to shrink each day,” Dujarric said as quoted on Antara.

He noted that about 70% of Gaza is now under evacuation orders or considered “no-go zones,” requiring special coordination with Israel for aid delivery. 

“These evacuation orders are directly impeding access to half of Gaza’s remaining clean water wells,” he explained, as quoted on Antara, adding that dwindling supplies have forced aid workers to reduce distribution and ration resources.

When asked if Israel’s blockade of aid could constitute a war crime, Dujarric stated: “Israel, as the occupying power, has a responsibility under international law to provide basic services and humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. That is not happening.”

“We leave it to judicial bodies to decide whether this constitutes a war crime. But clearly, this is already a violation of international law,” he asserted as quoted on Antara.

Since March 2, Israel has sealed all Gaza border crossings and resumed major assaults on March 18, breaking a ceasefire and prisoner swap agreement.

Writer: Andi Raisa Malaha Thambas