Since the outbreak of war in Gaza in October 2023, over 28,000 women and girls have been reported killed, translating to an average of one fatality every hour.

This alarming statistic categorizes the Palestinian enclave as one of the most hazardous regions globally for females, as outlined by UN Women.

The humanitarian crisis has resulted in nearly a million individuals displaced and thousands more injured, with access to food, clean water, and essential healthcare dwindling under the Israeli blockade.

According to independent UN human rights experts, approximately 13,000 women in Gaza have assumed the role of household heads, taking care of children and dependents without adequate shelter or basic supplies.

Experts underline that only a ceasefire could alleviate the critical burdens that women are carrying, both emotionally and in caregiving.

On May 21, 2024, experts addressed the UN Security Council, condemning what they have termed Israel’s "unprecedented assault" on Gaza’s civilian population, particularly affecting women and girls.

They asserted that the dire situation faced by these demographics is not coincidental, but rather the result of intentional policies by Israel, with the potential for the actions to be categorized as the deliberate infliction of conditions aimed at physically destroying the Palestinian people.

Following the Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others, Israeli military operations escalated in Gaza.

Since that date, local health officials report that at least 56,000 Palestinians have perished.

Israel contends that it does not intentionally target civilians, accusing Hamas of utilizing the civilian population as human shields.

The humanitarian situation has been exacerbated by recurrent Israeli blockades that restrict the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods, leading to widespread famine, and prompting severe allegations that food is being weaponized.

As of now, more than two-thirds of Gaza's 2.4 million population, roughly 1.7 million people, are converged into a space of just 69 square kilometers, which is less than one-fifth of the total area of the Strip.

Many are forced to live in overcrowded tents and displacement camps with limited privacy.

With the ongoing water shortages, women are disproportionately affected by the lack of basic sanitation facilities.

Queues for water can extend for hours in extreme heat, with women and girls spending approximately three hours per day collecting water, significantly more than their male counterparts who average 1.7 hours.

The lack of clean and safe latrines is contributing to serious health issues, including infections among women.

Moreover, food insecurity is aggravating the existing crisis; indicators show that nine out of ten displacement sites reveal visible signs of malnutrition among residents, including an alarming number of female-headed households.

Reports indicate that women are often skipping meals to ensure their children are fed, placing their own health at risk, while male household members eat first when food parcels arrive.

An estimated 71,000 children and 17,000 women are anticipated to require urgent treatment for acute malnutrition in the upcoming weeks, underscoring the scale of the ongoing emergency and the pressing need for sustained access to aid.

Cooking facilities are severely compromised by fuel shortages, forcing women to prepare meals over open fires, which increases both health risks and the time required for food preparation.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women, in particular, face heightened risks of malnutrition, with statistics reflecting a 300 percent rise in miscarriages since the onset of the conflict.

Maternal care has become almost non-existent, with many women giving birth in unsanitary conditions without skilled assistance or proper medical supplies.

Local medical personnel report an increase in pregnant women arriving late at facilities, some having given birth at home due to obstacles in reaching hospitals.

The lack of infrastructure has rendered routine antenatal check-ups nearly impossible, and the overall healthcare system is collapsing, further intensifying the vulnerability of pregnant women.

Despite challenges, the UN Population Fund continues to address urgent sexual and reproductive health needs by distributing supplies, including menstrual pads and postpartum kits, to women and girls.

More than 150,000 women have received assistance to procure essential hygiene items amidst severe shortages.

Mental health concerns are escalating, exacerbated by the ongoing trauma of caregiving, food scarcity, and inadequate sanitation.

With the educational system in shambles, many girls have assumed full-time caregiving roles for their younger siblings.

Reports suggest that this dynamic is pushing some girls into early marriage as families look to alleviate economic pressures.

In Gaza, reports indicate that gender-based violence is on the rise, correlated with increasing household tensions.

Experts maintain that a ceasefire would provide immediate relief, enabling families the opportunity for psychological recuperation and access to critical medical care and essential supplies.

A stark warning has been issued by independent UN experts regarding the broader implications of the ongoing conflict, noting that fundamental protections owed to civilians have been consistently violated.

The situation is poised to challenge the frameworks of international law if the international community does not effectively address the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza.