Emergency Briefing: Gaza’s Humanitarian Emergency

 May 24, 2021

The recent escalation between Israel and Hamas has once again led to a high death toll among civilians, and widespread destruction in the Gaza strip. Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been displaced in recent days and scores of civilians have been killed amid widespread destruction.  

The renewed violence comes against the backdrop of growing tensions in East Jerusalem around the planned Israeli expulsion of Palestinian families from Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, as well as the Israeli police raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque. 

Gaza is experiencing a humanitarian crisis. The lingering blockade, recurrent violence, and COVID-19 pandemic have worn out the Strip’s population, infrastructure, and economy. And the destruction and displacement are likely to undermine efforts to contain the pandemic. Even when a ceasefire is reached, reconstruction in Gaza will likely be extremely challenging.

Refugees International and The Century Foundation hosted a conversation with humanitarians and experts about the state of the emergency and what’s next.

Introduction:

Eric Schwartz, President, Refugees International  

Moderator:

Thanassis Cambanis, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation

Panelists: 

Tania Hary, Executive Director, Gisha 

Elizabeth Campbell, Director, UNRWA-Washington DC Office 

Amjad Shawa, Director, Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations Network (PNGO) 

Raji Sourani, Director, Palestinian Center for Human Rights