NEW YORK, (PIC)
Philippe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), has warned of the possibility of famine in northern Gaza, which has been under Israeli siege and ethnic cleansing since October 5.
In a statement on Saturday, Lazzarini expressed regret that the likelihood of famine “is not surprising,” noting that Israel has weaponized hunger by denying people in Gaza basic necessities, including food for survival.
He indicated that the aid entering Gaza is insufficient, averaging just over 30 trucks per day, which represents only about 6% of the daily needs of the Palestinian population.
Lazzarini called for urgent measures, including a political will to increase the flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies to Gaza, as well as political decisions to allow regular and uninterrupted access for convoys to northern Gaza. He emphasized the need for political will to address and eliminate the hunger crisis, stating that “it is not too late.”
On Friday, a report from the Famine Review Committee of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (a team of senior independent international experts in food security and nutrition) warned of a strong likelihood of imminent famine in areas of northern Gaza, as the Israeli occupation continues its devastation in the region.
The report stressed that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is extremely dire and deteriorating rapidly, demanding urgent action in the coming days “not weeks.”
In response to the Famine Review Committee’s warning, a US State Department spokesperson said that Washington is concerned about the limited amount of aid reaching civilians in Gaza, and that the report highlights the severity of the situation. The spokesperson added, “We have made it clear to Israel and will continue to do so that it must do more to facilitate the entry and delivery of aid within Gaza.”
In recent weeks, a real crisis has also begun to emerge in central and southern Gaza due to the depletion of flour and basic supplies in markets and homes, forcing residents to use spoiled flour to feed their families and seek unhealthy alternatives.
Residents of Gaza, especially in the north, are suffering from hunger amid a shortage of food, water, medicine, and fuel due to the siege imposed by Israel since its ground operation began on October 27, 2023, resulting in the deaths of several children and the elderly.
Palestinians warn that Israel aims to tighten its occupation of northern Gaza and turn it into a buffer zone after displacing its residents, under the ongoing heavy bombardment and strict blockade that prevents the entry of food, water, and medicine.
