On May 20, 2025, the UN reported that Israel had authorized around 100 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, a stark contrast to the pre-conflict average of 500 trucks daily.

Despite this authorization, only five trucks had entered Gaza the previous day, and Fletcher described the supplies as a 'drop in the ocean' compared to the urgent needs of the population.

For weeks, NGOs and human rights observers have raised alarms about severe shortages of food, clean water, fuel, and medicine in Gaza, which has been under conflict for over 19 months.

The World Health Organization reported that around two million people in Gaza are starving, as food supplies remain blocked at the border by Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the blockade on aid would be eased to prevent a 'famine crisis,' but emphasized that only minimal aid would be allowed to enter.

The Israeli government has justified its blockade by accusing Hamas of misusing humanitarian aid, a claim that Hamas has denied.

Critical healthcare facilities in Gaza, such as Nasser Hospital, are under threat, with ongoing airstrikes prompting evacuation orders that affect thousands and jeopardize essential infrastructure.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached alarming levels, with UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warning that 14,000 babies could die within 48 hours without the arrival of aid trucks.

Meanwhile, Israeli military operations have intensified, with reports indicating over 300 Palestinians killed in airstrikes in the days leading up to May 19, raising the total death toll since the conflict began to over 53,000.

On May 20, Israeli airstrikes continued, resulting in at least 44 deaths, including the bombing of a pharmaceutical laboratory.

In response to the humanitarian situation, leaders from the UK, France, and Canada condemned Israel's restrictions on aid access as 'wholly inadequate' and warned of potential further actions if conditions do not improve.

The situation in Gaza is expected to worsen significantly if Israel does not allow sufficient humanitarian aid to enter the territory.