The situation in Gaza has reached a critical point as the World Food Programme warns of surging malnutrition rates and starvation among its residents amid ongoing conflict.
Gaza on Brink of Famine: UN Reports Increasing Malnutrition Crisis
Gaza on Brink of Famine: UN Reports Increasing Malnutrition Crisis
UN report reveals dire food shortages in Gaza; 1 in 3 residents going days without eating.
Almost a third of the population in Gaza is reportedly going days without food, resulting in a growing malnutrition crisis, as warned by the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP). According to their statement, around 90,000 women and children urgently require treatment for malnutrition. The alarming trend has escalated this week, highlighted by nine additional fatalities due to malnutrition reported by Hamas' health ministry, bringing the total to 122 since the onset of the conflict.
Israel, which controls all supply routes into Gaza, claims it does not hinder the flow of humanitarian aid and attributes the malnutrition issue to Hamas. An Israeli official indicated that aerial aid drops might occur in the coming days, although aid organizations have previously criticized this method as ineffective. Local reports suggest that both the United Arab Emirates and Jordan are poised to conduct aid drops, but Jordanian officials have stated that they are still awaiting Israeli permission.
The UN has condemned Israel's plans as a mere "distraction to inaction." This comes in the wake of mounting international pressure regarding the dire humanitarian conditions in the enclave. In a joint statement, Germany, France, and the UK have urged Israel to lift restrictions on aid deliveries swiftly and end the current humanitarian crisis while also reminding Israel of its obligations under international law. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed dismay at the international community's inaction, highlighting a significant death toll among Palestinians seeking food since May.
Reports from individuals in Gaza point to severe struggles, with the situation described as heartbreaking. Anthony Aguilar, a US contractor, alleged that he witnessed "war crimes" during his year in Gaza, claiming that Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) used excessive force against civilians at aid distribution points. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation rejected Aguilar's claims, calling them false and stating they originated from a disgruntled employee.
Negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire and hostages' release continue to appear fragile. After the US and Israel withdrew their negotiating teams from ongoing talks in Qatar, US President Donald Trump remarked that Hamas was not interested in reaching a deal. In response, Hamas expressed confusion over the US statements, maintaining that discussions had not collapsed and that further negotiations might occur as Israeli delegates may return to the talks soon.
The ongoing conflict, which began following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, has resulted in over 59,000 deaths in Gaza according to local health ministry records. The region has faced significant hardship since the imposition of a total blockade on aid at the start of March, exacerbating an already grim situation marked by widespread displacement and destruction of housing.
