UN: Gaza on Brink of Famine as UN Warns of “Extreme Hunger”
The situation in Gaza is critical, with the UN raising the alarm on Tuesday about widespread hunger and a lack of clean water. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) blames Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid for the dire situation, stating thousands of families are forced to rely on contaminated seawater.
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) issued a dire warning on Tuesday, stating that thousands of Gazan families are forced to rely on contaminated seawater due to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid. This comes amidst a scorching summer and a war that has left over 2 million people struggling to survive.
“In Gaza’s burning summer heat, children have to wait in long queues to access minimal amounts of water,” UNRWA said. “Thousands of families are forced to rely on dirty seawater for their daily needs. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip is urgently needed to save lives.”
The UN’s Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report paints a grim picture, revealing that 96% of Gaza’s population faces “extreme levels of hunger.” Nearly half a million people are in “catastrophic conditions,” meaning they are facing famine-like situations.
The report highlights the critical role of sustained humanitarian access. The World Food Program (WFP) emphasized, “The IPC report on Gaza paints a stark picture of ongoing hunger…with almost half a million people in catastrophic conditions.”
The ongoing conflict and restricted access to humanitarian aid are fueling the food crisis. The IPC report warns of a “high risk of famine” persisting across Gaza unless the war ceases.
Israel’s continued offensive, which began in October 2023, has drawn international condemnation. The UN Security Council has demanded an immediate ceasefire, and the International Court of Justice has ordered Israel to halt its operation in Rafah.
Israel has killed more than 37,600 Palestinians since the Oct. 7, 2023 cross-border incursion by Hamas that claimed 1,200 lives.
