The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) accused Israel of using humanitarian aid as a "bargaining chip" and a "weapon of war" against the Gaza Strip, subjecting two million Palestinians, most of them women and children, to collective punishment. The agency called for the lifting of the 50-day-old blockade.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini denounced the hollow words of condemnation in a post on the X platform on Tuesday: "How long will it take for empty words of condemnation to be translated into action to lift the siege, resume the ceasefire, and save what remains of humanity?"

He added, "It has been 50 days since the Israeli authorities imposed a blockade on Gaza. Hunger is spreading and worsening, and it is deliberate and man-made. Gaza has become a land of despair."

"Two million people - the majority of whom are women and children - are being subjected to collective punishment, and the wounded, sick, and elderly are being deprived of medicine and healthcare," Lazzarini continued.

He pointed out that "at the same time, humanitarian organizations have aid ready to enter Gaza, including nearly 3,000 trucks of life-saving aid from UNRWA."

The UN official warned that "essential supplies for people in need are nearing their expiration date," and explained that "humanitarian aid is being used as a bargaining chip and a weapon in this war."

He stressed that "the siege must be lifted, supplies must be allowed in immediately, the hostages (Israeli prisoners) must be released, and the ceasefire must be resumed."

On April 9, UNRWA warned that the Gaza Strip was approaching "extreme hunger" due to the ongoing Israeli blockade and the near depletion of remaining essential supplies.

UNRWA Director of Media and Communications Juliette Touma said that infants and children in the Gaza Strip are "going to bed hungry," as essential supplies in the Strip are running out.

This new phase of famine comes at a time when the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have yet to recover from a previous wave. During the past year and a half of genocide, Israel has deliberately restricted the flow of aid into the Gaza Strip, depriving hundreds of thousands of poor families of their free food rations.

According to World Bank data, the genocide perpetrated by Israel has rendered all Palestinians in Gaza impoverished, meaning they are unable to provide their families with even the most basic necessities of life, such as food and water.

Israel has closed the Gaza Strip's crossings to the entry of food, relief, medical aid, and goods since March 2, causing a significant deterioration in the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, according to government, human rights, and international reports.

Since October 7, 2023, the occupying forces have been committing genocide in Gaza, leaving more than 168,000 dead and wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 11,000 missing.