Since 7 October, heavy bombardments and displacement throughout Gaza have left civilians in dire humanitarian need, with the situation turning into a catastrophe – especially for the estimated 1.1 million women and girls. The number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Gaza is currently estimated at around one million (half the population), with a large part of that population living in overcrowded and under-supplied shelters with food, water, and fuel running out – and basic and life-sustaining services becoming more inaccessible. The UN Secretary-General has called for a “humanitarian ceasefire” and that “Gaza needs aid at scale and on a sustained basis”. Civilians, healthcare infrastructure, and schools are not a target - all parties to the conflict must respect international humanitarian law.