NEW YORK: Independent UN experts have issued a stark warning, stating that residents of Gaza now make up 80% of individuals globally facing famine or catastrophic hunger. The experts emphasize the critical humanitarian emergency unfolding in the Gaza Strip amid the continuous Israeli assault on the besieged enclave.
According to the group of human rights experts, every person in Gaza is currently experiencing hunger, with a quarter of the population struggling to find food and drinkable water, making famine imminent. The situation is particularly dire for pregnant women and children under the age of five, who are highly susceptible to severe malnutrition.
The experts express deep concern about the endangerment of an entire generation, citing the risk of stunting, a condition hindering the growth and development of young children, leading to irreversible physical and cognitive impairments. The threat of famine looms large over Gaza, posing significant challenges to learning capacity and overall well-being.
The ongoing Israeli assault, characterized by a “total siege” since October 9, has left every individual in Gaza hungry, depriving 2.3 million Palestinians of essential resources such as water, food, fuel, medicine, and medical supplies. The 17-year Israeli blockade has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis, with approximately half of Gaza’s population facing food insecurity and over 80% relying on humanitarian aid before the recent conflict.
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Despite some aid deliveries concentrated in southern Gaza, the deteriorating conditions in northern Gaza, marked by prolonged food shortages and limited access to essential resources, raise significant concerns. Displaced individuals in southern Gaza are living in inadequate shelters, amplifying challenges in an already harsh environment.
The experts accuse Israel of using food as a weapon against the Palestinian people, citing the destruction or blocking of access to farmland and the sea. Agricultural land and facilities, including orchards and greenhouses, have been razed, and 70% of Gaza’s fishing fleet destroyed. The collapse of the healthcare system, widespread destruction of hospitals, and diminishing access to safe water contribute to the unfolding crisis.
The experts urgently call for the immediate and unhindered delivery of aid to prevent starvation in Gaza. They emphasize the need for a ceasefire and cessation of the Israeli occupation as crucial steps toward achieving peace, safety, and stability for both Israelis and Palestinians.
