The United Nations has raised alarm over the severe lack of access to essential supplies in Gaza due to the ongoing Israeli blockade.

“Today and yesterday, nearly all humanitarian movements to the Kerem Shalom/Kerem Abu Salem crossing were denied. Only one was allowed through. As a result, we have been able to collect fuel, but nothing else,” said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that nearly 50 intensive care unit beds and 170 pallets of medicines, including paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen, have been offloaded at the crossing but are not allowed to be collected.

“As per the weekly schedule, there will be no offloading of incoming supplies at that crossing today and tomorrow,” Dujarric added.

Kerem Shalom/Kerem Abu Salem remains Gaza’s only operational crossing, with Rafah and Zikim closed since the start of the regional escalation.

“Through daily engagement with authorities, we continue to call for the opening of additional crossings and for more types of critical humanitarian supplies to be allowed into Gaza,” the UN statement said.

“What we need is predictable flow of humanitarian aid in sufficient volumes to meet all the needs”, it added.

In the West Bank, movement restrictions have tightened again following the killing of two Palestinians by Israeli forces in Nablus.

“Tightened checkpoint closures across the West Bank have undermined Palestinians’ access to services and workplaces as well as emergency operations by humanitarians,” Dujarric said.

The UN also highlighted a worrying rise in social crises, reporting that “UN partners operating a toll-free hotline across the Occupied Palestinian Territory report a nearly 25 per cent rise in calls related to physical gender-based violence… alongside a rise in calls indicating suicidal thoughts.”

The UN urged authorities to ease restrictions and ensure the steady delivery of essential humanitarian aid to Gaza.