UN says Gaza women-headed households face daily impossible choices amid airstrikes

UN humanitarian officials warned on Tuesday that an increasing number of women‑headed households in Gaza are confronting daily “impossible decisions” as the enclave endures relentless Israeli airstrikes and persistent shortages of food, water, medicine and shelter. The assessment, issued by United Nations agencies operating in the territory, highlights that women who have become primary providers for their families are forced to choose between securing basic necessities and protecting their loved ones from further harm.

The report places the crisis within the broader context of the conflict that began in early October, noting that more than half of Gaza’s displaced population now lives in makeshift accommodations while essential services remain severely disrupted. Humanitarian actors say that limited access routes, damaged infrastructure and the ongoing bombardment have constrained aid deliveries, leaving many families without reliable sources of nutrition or healthcare. The UN agencies have appealed for an immediate scaling up of assistance and the establishment of safe corridors to ensure that vulnerable women and their children receive the support needed to survive the protracted emergency.