The devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas has now dragged on for an agonizing 600 days, far exceeding initial expectations when Hamas militants launched their assault on Southern Israel on October 7, 2023. This prolonged war has claimed an unimaginable toll, with over 54,000 lives lost and approximately 1.23 lakh people injured in Gaza. Beyond the direct impact of missiles and bombs, the crisis is severely exacerbated by widespread hunger, a critical lack of medical supplies, and a complete siege of the population. Since March 2, Israel has sealed all crossings into Gaza, halting the flow of food, medicine, and vital relief materials, pushing the region to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe.

The situation has become so dire that reports from the UN and various human rights organizations indicate people are scavenging for food in garbage piles. A recent Al Jazeera report highlighted a harrowing scene in Gaza City where a woman and her daughter searched through debris near ruined buildings for cooked rice and dry bread to boil for their children. Amidst this despair, a desperate scramble for aid at a newly opened relief distribution center in Rafah led to chaos when thousands broke through barricades, prompting Israeli forces to open fire, resulting in three deaths and 46 injuries, according to the Gaza government. The ongoing diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire and hostage release remain mired in contradiction, with Israel threatening a full-scale ground invasion even as international pressure mounts and calls for accountability intensify in global courts.