United Nations/London, July 22 2025 — The UN has issued an urgent alert that Israel’s escalating military offensive is dismantling Gaza’s final humanitarian lifelines, risking complete societal breakdown. Meanwhile, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently told BBC that images and reports coming out from war-ravaged regions had left him “sickened”.
OCHA released a statement Monday declaring that air and ground attacks have made humanitarian access almost impossible, with essential infrastructure such as hospitals, aid distribution centers and water treatment plants either damaged beyond repair or being rendered nonfunctional due to direct attacks.
“Gaza’s remaining lifelines are being cut in real time,” warned Martin Griffiths, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. Without immediate cessation of hostilities and secure humanitarian corridors, a complete collapse of basic services is imminent.”
Warning comes amid intensified Israeli operations in central and southern Gaza, particularly Deir al-Balah and Rafah, according to Palestinian health officials. More than 31 civilians were reported killed over the last 24 hours alone – surpassing 59,000 deaths since October 2023 when this conflict first started.
David Lammy–speaking from London–expressed deep personal distress over the Gaza crisis, and said that what he has seen and heard from Gaza in recent days “sickens me”. According to Lammy, it cannot remain silent while innocent people, particularly children, suffer and die in silence.
Lammy demanded an immediate ceasefire, humanitarian access without restrictions, and an expeditious resumption of peace negotiations while simultaneously upholding Israel’s right to self-defense. Furthermore, he noted the scale of civilian suffering must end and demanded its resolution immediately.
Israeli authorities remain steadfast in their defense of Israeli operations despite international criticism, maintaining they are necessary in eliminating Hamas military infrastructure and freeing hostages held captive by them. According to Eylon Levy from Israel’s government spokesperson office, Eylon Levy stated the offensive as being “surgical” and necessary and accused Hamas of using civilian buildings as shields during its offensive.
Humanitarian groups disagree. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), for instance, reported several clinics in Gaza being hit by airstrikes which forced the closure of medical services and ultimately suspended operations altogether. Furthermore, World Health Organization confirmed at least five facilities had been attacked this month alone.
Aid convoys have also been regularly blocked. According to the UN World Food Programme, trucks carrying food and water to northern Gaza were unable to make delivery due to active military zones and security concerns on six consecutive days.
Western capitals are under increasing public pressure. Over the weekend, thousands of protestors demonstrated in London, Paris and Berlin to demand that their governments take more steps to stop arms sales to Israel and increase humanitarian support.
As the conflict enters its 10th month, UN and international partners are calling for urgent action to avoid what they see as a man-made catastrophe. Griffiths states: “History will judge us for how we react at this crucial juncture – now before Gaza loses all lifelines!”