As of June 18, 2025, the war in Gaza has reached a horrifying milestone. Over 57,800 lives have been lost, with 56,152 of those casualties being Palestinians, and 1,706 Israelis also reported dead. According to conflict monitoring data, approximately 80% of the Palestinian victims are civilians, with women and children making up more than half of the dead. The figures alone speak volumes, but the lived realities on the ground—marked by displacement, starvation, and systematic devastation—paint an even grimmer picture.
Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been almost entirely forcibly displaced, as Israeli air and ground operations continue to destroy critical infrastructure. The blockade of aid and essential supplies has transformed what was already a dire humanitarian crisis into what health workers and aid organizations now describe as a slow-moving famine.
Blockades, Hunger, and Medical Collapse
The Israeli-imposed blockade on Gaza has become one of the most severe forms of collective punishment in modern conflict. Only 6,000 tonnes of wheat flour have made it into Gaza since partial aid was resumed—a drop in the ocean for a starving population. According to Olga Cherevko of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),
“It is essential that Gaza’s crossings are reopened immediately, and aid is allowed to flow freely—food, shelter, fuel—everything is needed.”
The health situation is equally alarming. In recent weeks, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a 190% rise in gunshot wound patients across their remaining functioning clinics in Gaza. Fuel shortages have crippled hospital operations, forcing critical life-saving devices, such as ventilators for newborns, to shut down.
Katja Storck, MSF Nursing Manager, stated:
“We are seeing a surge in malnourished children, and we don’t have therapeutic food or medicine to treat them.”
The compounded effect of the blockade and military siege has led many humanitarian actors to accuse Israel of violating international humanitarian law.
Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa, MSF’s Emergency Coordinator, condemned the situation in the strongest terms:
“This is a weaponisation of aid. Israel is deliberately starving Gaza. This is collective punishment.”
The Philippines’ Diplomatic Tightrope
The Philippines, like many nations in the Global South, finds itself navigating a politically delicate position in responding to the Gaza war. On one hand, the Philippine government has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages, and the urgent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. On the other hand, it abstained from a key United Nations resolution calling for a ceasefire, citing the lack of condemnation of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israeli civilians.
This diplomatic ambivalence has drawn criticism. A prominent Palestinian human rights advocate remarked that the Philippine abstention “betrays the urgency of halting the violence and opening humanitarian corridors. It sends the wrong message.” While attempting to maintain a neutral stance, critics argue that the Philippine government’s hesitancy in explicitly condemning Israel’s actions amid overwhelming civilian casualties undermines its credibility as a humanitarian actor.
A Call from Palestine: Moral Pressure and Political Influence
Mounir Anastas, the Palestinian Ambassador to the Philippines, has publicly urged the Philippine government to take a more assertive position:
“We are grateful for the Philippines’ call for a ceasefire, but we now ask you to pressure Israel directly to respect humanitarian law in Gaza and the West Bank.”
Anastas emphasized the power of international opinion and the moral responsibility of nations like the Philippines to stand firm against what he framed as war crimes.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also weighed in on the matter, expressing concern about the civilian toll:
“The loss of civilian lives, particularly women and children, is deeply troubling. We urge all parties to abide by international law and protect civilians.”
While these remarks are significant, activists and policy analysts alike have suggested that more than statements are needed; what is required is sustained diplomatic pressure, possibly through coordinated ASEAN or UN General Assembly action.
Humanitarian Diplomacy: More Than Symbolism
At a time when the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is deepening by the hour, the stakes for global diplomacy have never been higher. The Philippines has an opportunity to go beyond traditional neutrality. It could leverage its position in ASEAN and in various international forums to demand immediate action.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs continues to reiterate the government’s commitment to peace: “We support all international efforts for a peaceful resolution. A ceasefire, the release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid are non-negotiable.” However, for many observers, such commitments must be translated into tangible political action—such as co-sponsoring UN resolutions, initiating ASEAN discussions, or placing diplomatic pressure on Israel through bilateral or multilateral channels.
Israel’s Blockade and the Collapse of Gaza’s Health Systems
One of the most shocking outcomes of the Israeli blockade is its impact on Gaza’s already fragile healthcare system. With fuel for hospitals running out, patients—especially children and the elderly—are being left to die. In neonatal units, the lack of power has already led to multiple deaths among premature babies on ventilators.
Even humanitarian agencies themselves have become targets. According to Al Jazeera and MSF reports, aid convoys have repeatedly been blocked, bombed, or turned away. Aid workers have also been killed. This has led to broader accusations within the international community that Israel is violating the Fourth Geneva Convention, which prohibits collective punishment and ensures protection for civilians during wartime.
Political Courage in the Face of Global Indifference
While world leaders debate semantics and strategy, the death toll in Gaza climbs daily. The Philippines, though geographically distant, cannot afford to ignore the magnitude of the crisis. As a country that has experienced colonialism, dictatorship, and insurgency, the Philippines is not unfamiliar with the moral weight of human rights advocacy.
In this context, “balancing diplomacy” should not mean silence in the face of mass atrocities. The Philippine government can and should issue clearer condemnations of indiscriminate attacks on civilians and illegal blockades. Supporting the humanitarian cause in Gaza is not about choosing sides in a conflict; it is about defending universal human rights.
Reclaiming a Humanitarian Voice
At a time when the global humanitarian order seems fractured, countries like the Philippines have an opportunity to reclaim their voice. By responding to Ambassador Mounir Anastas’s appeal and amplifying calls from the UN and MSF, the Philippines can show that its foreign policy is not merely reactive, but grounded in justice.
That means publicly calling out the “weaponisation of aid”, supporting efforts to reopen crossings, and advocating for international investigation into war crimes. It also means giving voice to the 131,000 Palestinians injured, the 2.3 million forcibly displaced, and the over 56,000 civilians killed—numbers that, behind their statistics, represent real lives and communities.
An Urgent Moral Imperative
The situation in Gaza is not a “foreign issue” to be viewed from afar—it is a test of our collective humanity. As bombs fall and children die, neutrality becomes complicity. If the Philippines wishes to retain its standing as a peace-loving nation, it must do more than issue careful statements. It must act—diplomatically, morally, and unequivocally—in favor of peace and humanitarian protection.
This is not about politics. This is about life, dignity, and the future of international law. It is about answering a call made not just by diplomats, but by victims and survivors, who continue to suffer while the world looks away.
