ROME: The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has reported that 2.2 million people in the Gaza Strip are in urgent and dire need of food and livelihood assistance, nearly eleven months into the ongoing Israeli aggression on the besieged territory.
In a statement released on social media, WFP highlighted the severe impact of the Israeli military operations on humanitarian efforts in Gaza. The organization pointed out that evacuation orders issued by Israel are significantly obstructing aid distribution, leaving countless residents without access to essential supplies and services.
The WFP’s latest update underscores the dire food crisis in Gaza, which is described as the most severe in the history of the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC), compiled by the Global Network against Food Crises (GNAFC). The conflict has exacerbated an already critical situation, with widespread shortages of food and other basic necessities.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), over 50,000 Palestinian children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition, a situation that highlights the acute and widespread hunger crisis affecting the region.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign in Gaza since October 7 has led to unprecedented levels of famine and a humanitarian disaster that is straining the capacity of aid organizations to respond effectively.
The WFP and other humanitarian agencies have repeatedly called for a ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of aid and address the escalating crisis. Despite these calls, Israeli authorities have continued their military actions in the Gaza Strip and have largely ignored international demands and rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to halt the aggression and permit aid access.
The ongoing Israeli bombardment campaign, now extending into its 12th month, has led to widespread displacement among Gaza’s 2.4 million residents. The UN reports that the majority of Gaza’s population has been displaced at least once during the prolonged violence. Previous evacuation orders have led to mass relocations, with people fleeing their homes with limited belongings.
The Health Ministry in Gaza, reported on Monday that at least 40,988 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 7, 2023. The ministry also said that 94,825 Palestinians have been wounded during the ongoing bombardments.
The death toll includes 16 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the health ministry.
