The United Nations has issued a stark warning about the dire food shortages in the Gaza Strip, stating that the situation far exceeds famine levels and mass deaths of the local population are imminent. According to a report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization, 70% of the population in northern Gaza is currently experiencing severe food shortages, with approximately 1.1 million people battling catastrophic hunger.
The report emphasized that the Gaza Strip is facing a man-made crisis of hunger and malnutrition, with limited opportunities to prevent an outbreak of famine. The United Nations has called for immediate humanitarian aid to be sent into the region to prevent further suffering and loss of life.
EU foreign policy chief Borrell condemned the use of hunger as a means of warfare, stating that Israel is causing a man-made famine in Gaza. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres echoed this sentiment, calling on Israel to allow unrestricted aid access to all areas of Gaza to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe.
Despite Israel’s claim that there is no widespread famine in Gaza, the United Nations Children’s Fund reported that more than 13,000 Palestinian children have been killed in Israeli military operations in the region. Many children are suffering from severe malnutrition and are in desperate need of assistance.
The latest FAO data shows that the entire population of the Gaza Strip is facing severe food insecurity, with the situation continuing to deteriorate. The international community is now urging Israel to allow unrestricted aid access to Gaza to prevent a humanitarian disaster.