Palestinian and international agencies are warning that if Israel does not ease its border crossing restrictions on the Gaza Strip, a huge humanitarian crisis is inevitable.

Israel closed off its borders last week after Hamas took complete control over the Strip, allowing only a trickle of aid to enter Gaza through the Karm Abu Salem [Karem Shalom] Crossing in the southern Gaza Strip. According to humanitarian agencies such as the World Food Program, Gaza’s food stocks will only last for another two weeks, four at most, if more shipments are not let in.

The major crossing for goods in the Strip is the Mintar [Karni] Crossing, which Israel has refused to reopen since Hamas took power. This crossing has a 200 truck/day capacity whereas the smaller Karm Abu Salem crossing can only accommodate 15 trucks a day. This is barely enough to serve the 1.3 million residents of the Strip.

According to UNRWA, which provides food stuffs to more than half of the Strip’s population, there are 104 boxes of basic food stuffs waiting to enter Gaza through the Mintar Crossing, but which have been denied entry by Israel since Hamas’ takeover.

Furthermore, the German chapter of UNICEF reported on the deteriorating condition of Gaza’s children due to the lack of proper nutrition and medicines and the lack of proper sanitation. The organization said there was also a risk of diseases spreading given the poor situation and has therefore distributed medication and vaccinations in the poorest areas of the Strip over the past few days.

Israel has said it was devising ways to allow food and medicines to enter Gaza, including possible air drops or shipments by sea. It is still adamant not to open the crossings, however, given what it calls “security considerations.”

Meanwhile, over 5,000 people are stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah Crossing after Israel closed the crossing over 13 days ago. Media sources have reported that some travelers have been stranded at the crossing for weeks because of the constant closures and recent infighting. Many have run out of money and are sleeping in the terminals and public parks.

Rafah is the only border crossing between the Gaza Strip and the outside world after Israel destroyed and closed down the Gaza International Airport at the beginning of the Intifada in 2000.