Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and other oil and gas exporting countries in the region could gradually resume normal exports while Iran remained economically isolated.

A limited conflict could change this landscape for Iran. Although Iran is paying a heavy military and economic price, disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and, through the Houthis, pressure around Bab al-Mandab continue to affect global shipping, insurance costs and energy markets. Even limited uncertainty forces governments, shipowners and importers to pay attention to Iran’s demands.

In effect, Tehran may believe it still possesses leverage.

Iran also appears to be trying to reshape the diplomatic discussion. Rather than accepting unrestricted freedom of navigation, it has repeatedly signalled that shipping should operate under rules agreed with or administered by Iran. If that interpretation is correct, Tehran’s objective may be that any future reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reflects Iranian influence rather than a return to the pre-war status quo. An ongoing, limited conflict would allow Iran to keep the pressure on to achieve this goal.

From Tehran’s perspective, keeping the crisis alive below the threshold of total war may therefore be preferable to accepting a ceasefire that leaves sanctions, the blockade and economic isolation largely unchanged.

There may also be domestic calculations. Iran continues to face very high inflation rates, unemployment, economic hardship and public dissatisfaction. During periods of external conflict, governments often find it easier to suppress internal opposition, justify tighter security measures and rally support around national defence. That does not remove Iran’s economic problems, but it may reduce the immediate political pressure created by them.

Public sector defence electronics major Bharat Electronics Limited has formally introduced the Vahaan-50, a tactical logistics unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to address one of the most persistent operational constraints faced by modern militaries: last-mile resupply in hostile, remote, and infrastructure-poor environments.

Positioned as a battlefield logistics enabler rather than a high-end surveillance or strike platform, the Vahaan-50 is engineered around a focused mission profile—transporting essential payloads quickly and safely across short operational distances where ground convoys are either too slow, too exposed, or entirely infeasible due to terrain.

The system reflects a broader doctrinal shift within the defence ecosystem toward autonomous logistics chains, particularly in high-altitude sectors where road connectivity is fragile and contested.

At the core of the Vahaan-50’s design philosophy is operational practicality. The UAV features a 50 kg payload capacity, an approximate 10 km operational radius, and a service ceiling of nearly 5,000 metres. While these specifications may appear modest compared to long-range unmanned systems, they are deliberately calibrated for frontline tactical logistics.

The 10 km range is especially relevant in military terms, as it is sufficient to bridge the “last tactical gap” between battalion or company headquarters and forward-deployed posts. In mountainous theatres, this often represents the difference between timely resupply and operational degradation.

• Ammunition and small-arms resupply
• Critical equipment spares and repair components
• Rations, clothing, and survival kits
• Heavy-duty batteries for communication and surveillance systems
• Emergency medical supplies for frontline stabilization

By focusing on these categories, the UAV addresses the most frequent and time-sensitive logistical requirements faced by dispersed infantry units.

A defining feature of the Vahaan-50 is its ability to operate at altitudes approaching 5,000 metres. This capability is not incidental; it is directly aligned with the geographic and operational realities faced by the Indian Army in high-altitude sectors.

At such elevations, air density decreases significantly, reducing lift efficiency and increasing power demand for vertical take-off and sustained hover. Combined with unpredictable wind shear and rapidly changing weather conditions, these environments impose severe constraints on rotary-wing aviation.

The Vahaan-50’s lift capacity of 50 kg in such conditions represents a meaningful engineering compromise between endurance, payload, and operational reliability. It is specifically intended for mountainous frontier regions where landslides, snow blockage, and unstable roads frequently disrupt ground logistics.

The UAV’s service ceiling also suggests explicit design consideration for Himalayan operational theatres, where forward posts are often located on ridgelines or elevated outcrops far above conventional supply routes.

Although detailed technical disclosures remain limited, platforms of this class typically rely on multirotor or hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) architectures. The Vahaan-50 is expected to follow this configuration, enabling runway-independent operations.

This design choice is central to its battlefield utility. Unlike fixed-wing logistics drones, VTOL platforms can operate from:

• Narrow mountain helipads
• Temporary forward operating bases
• Small clearings carved into rugged terrain
• Building rooftops or improvised staging zones

This flexibility eliminates dependence on prepared airstrips, which are rarely available in forward areas.

A simplified mission profile illustrates the operational loop:

Forward Supply Base → 10 km UAV Transit → High-Altitude Forward Post (up to 5,000 m)

Within this envelope, the system can execute rapid point-to-point deliveries without requiring complex ground handling infrastructure.

One of the most significant tactical implications of the Vahaan-50 is its potential to reduce reliance on ground convoys in contested regions. Traditional logistics routes in mountainous and border areas are highly predictable, making them vulnerable to ambush, artillery targeting, or disruption through terrain denial.

By shifting short-range resupply tasks to aerial systems, both the Indian Army and supporting air elements can reduce troop exposure along vulnerable supply corridors.

For the Indian Air Force, the UAV introduces an additional layer of logistical redundancy. It enables small, dispersed detachments—such as radar outposts, forward surveillance units, or high-altitude observation teams—to receive supplies without deploying larger transport helicopters, which are more visible, expensive to operate, and constrained by weather and altitude limitations.

The strategic value of the Vahaan-50 increases significantly when integrated into networked command-and-control systems. In such a configuration, forward units can submit digital supply requests that are automatically translated into UAV mission profiles.

• Supply requests trigger automated flight planning
• Airspace deconfliction is managed digitally
• UAV routing adjusts dynamically based on operational constraints
• Delivery missions are coordinated alongside manned aircraft and other unmanned systems

This model aligns with broader military digitization trends, where logistics are increasingly treated as a data-driven function rather than a purely manual process.

The Vahaan-50 is designed with modular cargo handling systems to support a range of mission profiles.

• Weatherproof sealed cargo pods for general supplies
• Temperature-controlled containers for sensitive medical payloads such as blood products or vaccines
• Quick-release drop mechanisms for rapid delivery in inaccessible terrain

This modularity expands the platform’s operational relevance beyond standard resupply.

In secondary roles, the UAV could be adapted for:

• Forward medical support missions
• Deployment of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) payloads
• Delivery of counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) components
• Emergency reinforcement of communication infrastructure

While not a dedicated combat platform, its versatility allows it to function as a multi-role logistics asset within broader battlefield support ecosystems.

Despite its utility, the Vahaan-50 is subject to inherent limitations that define its operational envelope.

The most significant constraint is its 10 km range, which restricts independent deep-logistics capability. In extended operations, this necessitates either:

• Forward staging nodes acting as relay points, or
• Sequential multi-hop missions across multiple UAV sorties

Battery endurance is another limiting factor. As payload weight increases, energy consumption rises disproportionately, reducing flight time and making performance more sensitive to environmental conditions.

High-altitude winds, turbulence, and temperature variation further complicate endurance forecasting.

In contested environments, UAV logistics platforms must also contend with electronic warfare (EW) threats.

• GPS jamming and spoofing
• Communication link disruption
• Signal degradation in mountainous terrain

Such conditions necessitate hardened communication architectures and fallback navigation systems that do not rely exclusively on satellite positioning.

For the Vahaan-50 to operate reliably in forward sectors, secure multi-layered navigation and autonomous return-to-base logic will be essential. This includes inertial navigation systems and redundant communication links designed to maintain control continuity under EW pressure.

The introduction of the Vahaan-50 reflects a broader shift in defence logistics thinking—moving from vehicle-centric supply chains to distributed, autonomous aerial delivery networks.

Rather than replacing traditional logistics entirely, systems like this are expected to complement existing supply frameworks, particularly in environments where terrain or threat conditions render ground movement inefficient or dangerous.

In high-altitude theatres, where even short-distance transport can take hours or days by road, the ability to deliver 50 kg payloads within minutes represents a meaningful operational advantage.

Over time, the integration of such UAV systems could reduce dependence on risky convoy operations, improve responsiveness of forward units, and enhance overall battlefield resilience.

The Vahaan-50 UAV marks a targeted and pragmatic step in India’s evolving defence technology ecosystem. Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited, it is not positioned as a high-end strategic drone but as a functional logistics tool designed for one of the most challenging operational environments in the world.

By combining moderate payload capacity, short-range tactical reach, and high-altitude operational capability, the system directly addresses a persistent gap in military logistics architecture—last-mile delivery in contested and infrastructure-poor regions.

India’s long-anticipated push toward developing the BrahMos-2 hypersonic cruise missile appears to be encountering significant headwinds, with BrahMos Aerospace—its Indo-Russian joint venture developer—reportedly pausing active development amid cost concerns, technological constraints, and shifting strategic priorities.

The BrahMos-2 program, envisioned as a next-generation hypersonic successor to the widely deployed BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, was expected to mark a major leap in India’s long-range precision strike capability. However, three interlinked factors are now understood to have contributed to a reassessment of its immediate viability: the sharply higher projected cost of the missile, the relatively incremental operational advantage over existing systems, and Russia’s continued reluctance to transfer critical scramjet propulsion technology.

At the core of the reassessment is the projected unit cost of the BrahMos-2 missile, estimated at around $12.5 million per missile. This figure represents a steep increase compared to the BrahMos-1 family, where unit costs are generally estimated between $3 million and $4.5 million, depending on variant and configuration.

Defense planners are understood to be evaluating whether the performance gains offered by a hypersonic upgrade justify such a significant price escalation, especially when considered at scale. In contrast, expanding production of existing BrahMos variants offers both cost efficiency and immediate operational utility.

The economics become particularly relevant in light of India’s doctrine emphasizing credible deterrence through volume as well as precision. A larger inventory of proven systems is increasingly seen as offering more predictable battlefield value than a smaller number of highly expensive next-generation missiles.

The existing BrahMos missile system has already demonstrated high accuracy and penetration capability in operational contexts. While official combat narratives remain limited, the system is widely assessed to have performed effectively in recent Indian operational deployments, including reported use in high-intensity strike scenarios.

Similarly, Russia’s P-800 Oniks, which shares technological lineage with BrahMos, has been actively used in ongoing conflict conditions in Ukraine and is reported to have maintained strong survivability and strike effectiveness.

Against this backdrop, analysts note that the BrahMos-2’s anticipated improvements in air defense penetration and speed—while technologically significant—may be incremental rather than transformational in real-world operational terms. The missile would reportedly offer higher velocity in the hypersonic regime, but not necessarily a proportional increase in mission success rates against modern layered air defense systems.

This has led to an emerging argument within defense planning circles that scaling up existing BrahMos production capacity may deliver a better cost-to-effectiveness ratio than pursuing a costly hypersonic transition in the near term.

A critical limiting factor remains Russia’s reluctance to fully transfer scramjet propulsion technology, which is central to sustained hypersonic flight. The propulsion systems under discussion are believed to be derived from Russian advancements associated with its 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile program, one of the most advanced systems in its class globally.

Russia’s caution in sharing such technology is widely viewed as strategic. Scramjet propulsion represents a core high-end capability in modern missile development, and retaining exclusive or limited-access control preserves a significant military and geopolitical advantage.

Unsurprisingly, this has constrained the joint development pathway envisioned under the BrahMos-2 framework, which depends heavily on deep technology sharing between the two countries.

Rather than signaling a withdrawal from hypersonic ambitions altogether, the slowdown in BrahMos-2 activity may instead redirect momentum toward indigenous Indian research programs under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

India has already made measurable progress in both ramjet and scramjet propulsion technologies. Ramjet engines—used in the existing BrahMos missile—operate efficiently at supersonic speeds, while scramjet engines are essential for sustained hypersonic flight beyond Mach 6.

The DRDO-developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) successfully demonstrated short-duration scramjet combustion, marking an early but important milestone.

More recently, the Extended Trajectory–Long Distance Hypersonic Cruise Missile (ET-LDHCM) program has produced increasingly advanced results. Notably:

On January 21, 2025, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) completed a 120-second full-scale combustor ground test

On April 25, 2025, a subscale actively cooled scramjet combustor operated for over 1,000 seconds

On January 9, 2026, DRDL achieved a major milestone with a 12-minute continuous run of a full-scale scramjet combustor at its Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility

These successive achievements indicate steady progress toward a flight-capable scramjet propulsion system.

The distinction between ramjet and scramjet technologies is central to India’s hypersonic roadmap.

A ramjet engine slows incoming air to subsonic speeds before combustion, making it efficient in the Mach 3–6 range. A scramjet engine, by contrast, allows air to remain supersonic throughout combustion, enabling sustained flight beyond Mach 6–7.

An emerging hybrid concept, the dual-mode ramjet (DMRJ), can transition between both operating regimes, offering greater flexibility across speed envelopes. This is considered particularly promising for future missile and potentially even aircraft applications.

Reflecting this strategic direction, the Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Agreement on January 29, 2026, with the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development at IISc Bengaluru to develop an indigenous DMRJ system.

India’s formal pursuit of a hypersonic cruise missile dates back nearly two decades. In 2008, India and Russia agreed in principle to explore a follow-on system to the BrahMos during a high-level defense engagement. By 2009, technical requirements had been finalized through a memorandum of understanding.

Despite early optimism, the program has seen little concrete progress over the subsequent years, largely due to technological constraints and shifting priorities on both sides.

Meanwhile, Russia independently advanced its own hypersonic cruise missile capability with the development of the Zircon system, which has since been deployed operationally in maritime and coastal strike roles. Reports from ongoing conflict zones suggest that Zircon-class weapons are extremely difficult to intercept due to their speed and maneuverability.

Within BrahMos Aerospace, attention has increasingly shifted toward the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) program, a lighter and more compact variant designed for deployment on a wider range of platforms, including Tejas and MiG-29UPG aircraft.

Company officials have previously indicated that hypersonic development remains part of the long-term roadmap, but not an immediate priority. As stated in earlier interviews, BrahMos-2 work would be considered only after successful realization of BrahMos-NG.

Recent reports, including those cited by Russian sources, suggest that preliminary design work on BrahMos-NG is underway, with autonomous testing expected to begin soon. However, flight testing timelines remain uncertain and are likely to extend over several years due to integration requirements.

While reports of a “pause” in BrahMos-2 development may suggest a setback, defense analysts interpret the move more as a strategic recalibration than a cancellation. The combination of high costs, marginal incremental benefits over existing systems, and restricted access to critical propulsion technologies has created a difficult trade-off environment.

At the same time, India’s expanding indigenous hypersonic research ecosystem suggests that the long-term objective of achieving hypersonic strike capability remains intact—albeit increasingly through domestic rather than joint pathways.

However, strategic considerations also complicate the calculus. Hypersonic weapons significantly reduce decision time in a conflict scenario, potentially compressing the nuclear escalation ladder in regions with existing strategic tensions. With India sharing borders with nuclear-armed adversaries, some analysts caution that widespread deployment of such systems could have destabilizing effects.

For now, India appears to be prioritizing a dual-track approach: consolidating and expanding proven BrahMos capabilities while investing in longer-term indigenous hypersonic research. Whether BrahMos-2 eventually re-emerges as a joint Indo-Russian program or evolves into a primarily domestic project will depend on both technological breakthroughs and geopolitical alignment in the years ahead.

Children’s commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza and Department for Education scientific adviser Prof Russell Viner have reviewed the latest evidence, finding that long periods of time spent on screens alone can affect children’s sleep and physical activity, which are key to their development.

The sole border point with Egypt is a lifeline to the world – including for thousands of severely ill or injured Palestinians who require medical treatment outside the enclave, where last October’s fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continues to hold. 

The development comes, however, following reports of violence over the weekend, with the UN voicing concern over the killing of civilians and Israeli airstrikes. 

‘Competing dynamics’ 

“As we have seen so many times throughout this conflict, we’re seeing really competing dynamics here: on the one hand, positive progress when it comes to the re-opening of Rafah, and yet over the past 24 hours, 30 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes during a ceasefire,” Sam Rose, Acting Director of UNRWA Affairs in Gaza, told the BBC. 

“At the same time, international organizations that are equipped and qualified and capable of doing work, which is urgently needed, are continuing to face major, major constraints.”  

For this reason, Palestinians in Gaza are feeling “massive trepidation – hope that people will be able to get out, but real, real fear for the future,” he said. 

UNRWA remains on the ground delivering life-saving assistance in where “fear and uncertainty persist,” the agency said, noting that “access is limited, protection concerns persist, and humanitarian needs remain acute amid ongoing operational constraints.” 

Limited movement 

Re-opening the Rafah crossing was an integral part of the 20-point peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump last September, with the ceasefire announced days later. 

For now, Israel will only allow some 50 Palestinians to enter and exit Gaza each day – and only on foot, international news agencies have reported. 

The crossing will be coordinated with Egypt and supervised by the European Union (EU), according to the UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA. 

Returns will only be permitted for residents who left during the war and after obtaining prior authorisation from the Israeli security services, being checked by the EU at the Rafah crossing point and undergoing a second identification and control process in a designated corridor managed by the Israeli army in an area under its control. 

Support for returnees 

OCHA welcomed the re-opening of the key border crossing, underscoring that “civilians must be allowed to leave and return voluntarily and safely, as international law requires.” 

Over the weekend, the UN carried out an advance mission to assess road conditions. 

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is set to provide bus transportation for returnees from the internal checkpoint to Nassar hospital in Khan Younis, where several UN agencies and NGO partners have set up a reception area to provide them with support. 

The reception desk is staffed by psychologists and protection specialists, while food, information materials and internet connectivity are available. 

Medical evacuations 

Monday also saw the World Health Organization (WHO) supporting medical evacuation efforts.   

Some patients and their companions were able to exit Gaza directly to Egypt, while others transited through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing 

Israeli authorities approved the travel of only five wounded patients from a list of 27 names submitted to both the Egyptian and Israeli sides, according to Palestinian sources. 

Treatment beyond borders 

Families lined up in the courtyard of Al-Amal Hospital in the south of the Gaza Strip to bid farewell to sick relatives, who were accompanied by travel companions, heading to Egypt to complete their treatment.

A UN News correspondent was on hand as buses began preparing to depart, carrying with them the hope that the wounded would return fully recovered. 

A young boy called Youssef Awad, who uses a wheelchair, was optimistic that he would be able to walk and play again. 

“I hope to travel for treatment and return walking like other children,” he said.

‘Expedite the process’ 

Another injured child, Ahmad Abu al-Khair, sat in a wheelchair beside his father, Iyad, awaiting his turn in the medical evacuation convoy heading to the Rafah crossing.  

Ahmad’s head was covered with a white bandage, and he appeared unable to move while his father tried to comfort him. 

“We hope that decision-makers and the World Health Organization will expedite the process and help us get my son Ahmad to travel to complete his treatment, as every hour he spends here affects his health.” 

Thousands still waiting  

In a protest reflecting the extent of their despair, dozens of injured Palestinians staged a demonstration near the hospital, sitting in their wheelchairs and demanding an increase in the number of people allowed to travel daily which “should be in the hundreds” instead of 50. 

“We have been waiting for the crossing to open since the beginning of the war, and like many others, we have not been lucky,” said Farid al-Qassas, an injured man. 

“In this building alone, there are about 100 patients in need of medical referrals, and the number of wounded waiting to travel reaches about 13,000 patients and injured people. We hope that everyone will hear us and save what remains of these patients.”

The last medical evacuation through the Rafah crossing was in May 2024.  Overall, more than 18,500 patients in Gaza, including 4,000 children, are still waiting to access treatment abroad. 

“The most effective option would be to resume referrals to the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and rehabilitate damaged health facilities in Gaza,” OCHA said. 

Until then, UN Member States are urged “to accept more patients so that everyone receives the treatment that they need.” 

Aid delivery update 

The agency also stressed that “ultimately, essential humanitarian supplies must enter in sufficient quantities and with fewer restrictions through Rafah and other crossings.”  

Between 23-29 January, at least 13,800 pallets of humanitarian aid managed by the UN and its partners were unloaded at crossing points. 

Nearly 60 per cent of these shipments contained food, but also shelter items, school supplies, health items, fuel and nutritional kits. 

Since the announcement of the ceasefire on 10 October, at least 272,000 pallets of humanitarian goods were unloaded, and 270,000 pallets were collected at the various crossing points. 

The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the tragedy highlights growing global challenges around extreme rainfall, warning dissemination and community preparedness.

Flash floods are the most lethal form of flooding, responsible for over 5,000 deaths annually and 85 per cent of all flood-related fatalities worldwide, according to WMO data, and result in economic losses of more than $50 billion annually.

“Unlike slow-onset river floods, flash floods leave very limited time for reaction,” the agency said in a news release on Wednesday.

“That makes accurate short-term forecasting and community preparedness essential.”

Months of rains in hours

Overnight 3 into 4 July, torrential rains – up to 46 centimetres (about 18 inches) in a matter of hours – sent a wall of water surging through Kerr County’s Guadalupe River basin at around 4 AM, catching many residents and vacationers off guard.

The US National Weather Service issued timely alerts – including a flash flood watch more than 12 hours in advance, upgraded to a flash flood emergency about three hours before impact.

The warnings were disseminated by Weather Radio, emergency management systems and television and radio stations, but many people, including hundreds of children at summer camps, were not reached in time.

Floodwaters surged dramatically as the Guadalupe River rose nearly 8 metres (about 26 feet) in about 45 minutes.

Among the hardest hit was the all-girls summer camp, Camp Mystic, along the river, where at least 27 campers and counsellors died, according to media reports. Texas state authorities report that more than 160 people remain missing.

The disaster has triggered one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts in state history.

More frequent and severe floods

Flash floods are not new, but their frequency and intensity are increasing in many regions due to rapid urbanization, land-use change and a warming climate.

“A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and so this means that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent,” WMO said.

The Texas disaster joins a string of recent catastrophic floods. In 2022, flash floods in Pakistan killed over 1,700 people and displaced millions. In 2024, floods in Europe, the Middle East and Africa saw $36 billion in economic damages.

And just this week, a flash flood along the Nepalese-Chinese border swept away the main bridge linking the two countries.

Supporting countries

To help countries predict such hazards, WMO operates the Flash Flood Guidance System, a real-time forecasting platform used in over 70 countries. It integrates satellite data, radar, and weather models to detect local flash flood threats and supports training programs to build national capacity.

Beyond technology, the agency plays a convening role by building national capacity, certifying experts, and facilitating real-time coordination between forecasting agencies and disaster managers.

Reuters

Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images

“We have been approached by Israeli authorities to resume limited aid delivery, and we are in discussions with them now on how this would take place given the conditions on the ground,” OCHA said in a statement.

It is now 11 weeks since the Israeli authorities closed off all food, fuel and medicines to Gaza.

The decision has been widely condemned by the international community – including the UN Secretary-General – who on Sunday insisted that Israel’s “siege and starvation” of Gazans “makes a mockery of international law”.

According to news reports the Israel Government has taken the decision to resume “basic” levels of aid delivery to ensure against starvation, on the recommendation of the Israeli Defense Forces and in support of a renewed Gaza offensive.

“The situation for Palestinians in Gaza is beyond description, beyond atrocious and beyond inhumane,” António Guterres wrote online. “The blockade against humanitarian aid must end immediately.”

The aid blockade has created life-threatening hunger across Gaza – something that humanitarians have pointed out did not exist before the war started on 7 October 2023, sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks on Israel.

Basic principles

“I emphasize that the United Nations will not participate in any operation that does not adhere to international law and humanitarian principles of humanity, impartiality, independence and neutrality,” Mr. Guterres insisted, before underlining his “full support” for UNRWA, the largest aid agency in Gaza.

In an update on Monday, UNRWA reported that more than nine in 10 homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. On Sunday the agency’s Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini announced that more than 300 staff have been killed in the Gaza war. “The vast majority of staff were killed by the Israeli army with their children and loved ones: whole families wiped out,” he noted.

“Several were killed in the line of duty while serving their communities. Those killed were mostly UN health workers and teachers, supporting their communities.”

Ahead of unconfirmed reports on Monday that 20 aid trucks were expected to enter Gaza on Monday, UN agencies OCHA and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that hungry and sick Gazans continue to live in terror because of ongoing bombardment.

In a new call to lift the blockade, both agencies rejected allegations of aid diversion to Hamas and highlighted the humanitarian nature of the goods being denied entry into Gaza, everything from children’s shoes to eggs, pasta, baby formula and tents.

“How much war can you wage with this?” asked OCHA spokesperson Jens Laerke.

Briefing Member States in Geneva, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned on Monday that the risk of famine “is increasing” as aid continues to be withheld deliberately by Israel.

Health system destroyed

The enclave’s health system is “already on its knees”, he insisted.

“Two million people are starving, while 116 000 tonnes of food is blocked at the border just minutes away,” he told the World Health Assembly.

In response to a resurgence of polio in Gaza, WHO negotiated a humanitarian pause for a vaccination campaign that reached more than 560,000 children, Tedros continued.

“We stopped polio, but the people of Gaza continue to face multiple other threats,” he said. “People are dying from preventable diseases as medicines wait at the border, while attacks on hospitals deny people care, and deter them from seeking it.”

At the same time, the WHO chief called out “increasing hostilities, evacuation orders, [the] shrinking humanitarian space and the aid blockade [that] are driving an influx of casualties”.

Tedros’s comments come as UN aid teams who remain committed to helping all Gazans confirmed intensifying bombing across the devastated Strip. “It has increased, of course,” said one worker, who wished to remain anonymous. They added that in the last 72 hours around 63,000 people have been uprooted.