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"If people don't die from airstrikes, they will die from hunger." With these words, Hind Khudari, a worker
with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Gaza, conveyed the immense suffering of the residents, as
reported by the WFP.
According to the global program, Hind has dedicated her life to sharing the stories of the people of Gaza,
the city where she was born and raised, shedding light on the struggles of the besieged enclave and the daily
battle for survival.
For weeks, Hind has been narrating the harsh living conditions in Gaza, her personal experience of
displacement, losing her home, enduring days without food, and wavering between despair and hope.
She recounts how she and other residents were forced to flee their homes to areas in Gaza that were claimed
to be safe. "The truth is, there is no safe place in Gaza. People are fleeing from one death to another."
She adds, "One day, we were sharing a single bottle of juice that a friend had found. As we passed it among
ourselves, a massive explosion suddenly erupted near where we were staying. We ran toward each other in
fear of another blast. That was our last bottle of juice, and I didn’t even get a sip."
During a temporary truce, Hind went to the Deir al-Balah market in search of food but found almost nothing.
"All we could find were tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, eggplants, and oranges. We couldn't even find clothes
or blankets for the winter."
What Hind has endured is the reality for 1.8 million people—trapped between the rubble, facing the threat
of death either by airstrikes or starvation.
 
A Humanitarian Catastrophe: Egypt Intervenes
Amid scenes of devastation, airstrikes, displacement, killings, and starvation in Gaza, Egypt has stepped up
to alleviate the suffering of the enclave's residents, providing various forms of support and assistance since
the events of October 7, 2023. Among its efforts, Cairo has intensified its diplomatic pressure on Israel to
allow the entry of urgent humanitarian and food aid for displaced civilians.
In January, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Dr. Badr Abdel Aty, stated that Cairo
aimed to facilitate the entry of 1,000 aid trucks daily into Gaza to meet the escalating needs of the population
amid the dire conditions.
He also noted that between 600 and 700 food aid trucks were ready to cross the Rafah border crossing to
deliver relief to the Palestinian people in Gaza.
In February, Egypt announced that the number of tents delivered to Gaza through Egyptian crossings since
the start of the truce had surpassed 20,000 tents.
Additionally, Egypt reported that 680 wounded and ill individuals, along with 1,850 accompanying
relatives, had entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing since the beginning of the truce.
 
Gaza residents relief
Following the humanitarian catastrophe that struck Gaza after October 7, several Arab countries have taken
the lead in relief efforts, supporting the Palestinian people and working toward ending the war.
The United Arab Emirates has been at the forefront, launching various initiatives, including the "Birds of
Goodness" campaign, which coordinated 104 airdrop missions delivering humanitarian aid to areas
inaccessible by land. This initiative was carried out in collaboration with Egypt and Jordan, significantly
aiding the besieged population, especially in northern Gaza.
Additionally, the UAE launched Operation Gallant Knight, which provides food aid and medical care,
including the deployment of a floating hospital to deliver urgent healthcare services. This initiative is aimed
at assisting all affected groups in Gaza, with a particular focus on women and children.
In January, 150 aid convoys entered Gaza through Egyptian border crossings as part of Operation Gallant
Knight 3, carrying 2,319 trucks loaded with over 29,000 tons of food and humanitarian supplies.
Arab nations continue to provide humanitarian assistance to Gaza, with Iraq playing a crucial role in these
efforts. Baghdad sent a fuel tanker to Egypt to help alleviate the severe fuel shortage in Gaza, which has
significantly hindered relief efforts and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis. The Iraqi tanker, carrying 10
million liters of fuel, sailed through the Suez Canal as an aid shipment for the Palestinians in Gaza, while
the Iraqi government affirmed its commitment to sending more humanitarian shipments in the future.
Meanwhile, Egypt remains pivotal in facilitating aid entry through the Rafah border crossing, the lifeline
for Gaza’s residents. The crossing has seen an increased flow of aid trucks and essential goods, reflecting
Egypt’s ongoing commitment to organizing and securing transport operations to meet the Palestinian
people's urgent needs.
These Arab-led humanitarian efforts have had a profound impact, reinforcing the resilience of Palestinians
alongside diplomatic efforts to end the war and destruction. Led by the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and
other nations, these initiatives stand in stark contrast to the rhetoric of death and destruction that has caused
yet another catastrophe for the Palestinian people—one that now threatens their future and their cause more
than ever before.