The four-day humanitarian pause in Israel's assault on the Gaza Strip is crucial for allowing humanitarian agencies to bring much-needed supplies to the stricken Palestinian enclave. However, the short window of four days may not be enough to meet the vast humanitarian needs in Gaza. The damage caused by more than a month of bombardment by the Israeli Defense Forces has left Gaza in dire conditions.

During the first two weeks of the assault, Gaza was completely cut off from access as it was placed under siege by Israel. Since October 21, some aid has been allowed into the strip, but it is only a fraction of the monthly volume of goods and aid that Gaza used to receive.

The situation in Gaza is dire. Fuel shortages have forced bakeries to shut down, causing food prices to rise significantly. Many shops and markets are closed, and even when people manage to find food, they struggle to obtain fuel to cook it. The scarcity of safe drinking water and destroyed sanitation infrastructure raise the risk of disease.

Limited access to Gaza will still be a challenge even during the four-day pause, as supplies can only be brought in through the Rafah border crossing with Egypt. However, the European Union and other humanitarian agencies are stepping up efforts to increase aid delivery during this time.

The pause in fighting presents an opportunity to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to meet the needs of the people.