Wassem Mushtaha, the Gaza response lead at Oxfam, says humanitarian groups face “huge challenges” to support people’s basic needs due to the closure of the crossings into the besieged territory.

Food supplies and items related to water and sanitation needs are urgently needed, he told Al Jazeera from Gaza City. He added that more than half a million people have returned to ruins in the city and northern Gaza Strip after the ceasefire took effect on January 19.

“Now people are living in tents; people are living in a dire situation,” he added, describing living conditions as “hard”.

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