Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Detailed Timeline Amid Conflicts

In June 2025, as the world’s attention shifted towards Israel’s conflict with Iran, the humanitarian situation in Gaza deteriorated alarmingly. The 12-day period of intensified military action led to significant casualties and a deepening crisis for the Palestinian population. This article chronicles the events that unfolded in Gaza, providing a comprehensive overview of the humanitarian challenges, international responses, and the implications of the ongoing conflict.

On June 13, 2025, Israel launched a military offensive against Iran, which coincided with an escalation of violence in Gaza. The fragile ceasefire that had existed broke down in March 2025, leading to a series of airstrikes and a blockade that severely limited humanitarian aid. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), approximately 80% of the population in Gaza required urgent assistance, exacerbated by the ongoing military operations (UN OCHA, 2025).

The timeline of events from June 14 to June 24 illustrates the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. On June 14, Israeli strikes in Gaza killed at least 20 Palestinians. Palestinian witnesses reported that Israeli forces opened fire on crowds attempting to access food distribution points managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a newly established organization intended to facilitate aid delivery in lieu of the UN's efforts (Gaza Health Ministry, 2025).

By June 16, the situation worsened with at least 37 deaths occurring as desperate crowds gathered at GHF distribution centers. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes as people sought food amid airstrikes. Dr. Marwan Abu Nasser, director of al-Awda Hospital, reported treating over 300 injured individuals, the highest number received in a single incident at the facility (Al-Awda Hospital, 2025).

The bloodiest day came on June 17, when Israeli forces killed at least 59 Palestinians at a UN aid distribution site in Khan Younis. Reports indicated that many victims were merely attempting to collect flour from a UN truck, highlighting the dire circumstances faced by civilians (Human Rights Watch, 2025). Following this incident, the UN temporarily suspended aid convoys, further exacerbating the food crisis in Gaza.

In subsequent days, the Israeli military issued new displacement orders, affecting vast areas of Gaza, and more than 80% of the territory came under military control (Israeli Defense Forces, 2025). Despite claims from the Israeli military that they were adhering to international law, the civilian toll continued to rise, with reports of additional airstrikes killing civilians trying to access aid (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2025).

The humanitarian implications of the conflict are profound. According to Dr. Sarah Johnson, a Professor of International Relations at Stanford University, "The ongoing violence has created a humanitarian disaster unlike any we have seen in recent years. The infrastructure is collapsing, and the health sector is overwhelmed" (Stanford University, 2025).

International responses have varied, with some organizations criticizing Israel’s military actions and others supporting its right to defend itself against Hamas. The UN Secretary-General has called for an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian aid, stressing that the current situation is unsustainable (United Nations, 2025).

Looking ahead, the prospects for peace appear bleak. The cycle of violence continues to deepen, and without a concerted international effort to mediate, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is likely to worsen. According to a report by the World Bank, the economic ramifications of the conflict could lead to long-term instability in the region (World Bank, 2025).

In conclusion, as the conflict in Gaza unfolds, the international community must confront the urgent humanitarian needs of its population. The timeline of events serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the necessity for immediate action to alleviate suffering. Failure to address these issues could result in an even greater humanitarian disaster in the months to come.