UN warns of humanitarian crisis in Gaza as Palestinians face starvation

The United Nations has warned of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, with civilians dying from hunger amid silence from the international community.

UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric highlighted that northern Gaza has been under Israeli siege for nearly a month, resulting in a sharp increase in deaths due to starvation and a severe shortage of essential supplies.

Dujarric also condemned the “humanitarian crimes” taking place, revealing that around 1,000 Palestinian homes have been destroyed this year in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, displacing over 1,100 people, many of them from East Jerusalem.

The UN also emphasized that finding an alternative to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) is not its responsibility but that of Israel, following Israel’s decision to end its cooperation with the agency in Gaza and the West Bank.

Starting in January, a new Israeli law will block UNRWA operations in the occupied territories, raising concerns over the suspension of critical services relied upon by millions of Palestinians.

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini warned that the new Israeli law could have “severe consequences,” affecting the provision of essential services like healthcare, education, and social support, and called on the international community to support the agency in preventing a collapse of vital humanitarian services in Gaza.