Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are surviving on just one meal every two to three days, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported on Tuesday, as Israel’s blockade continues to restrict the flow of essential aid.
UNRWA spokesperson Adnan Abu Hasna told Al-Ghad TV that over 66,000 children in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition. “Since March 2, no food, medical supplies, or humanitarian aid have entered Gaza through its crossings,” Abu Hasna said, adding that the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
According to Gaza’s government media office, at least 57 people have died of starvation since October 2023. The World Bank estimates that nearly 2.4 million people in Gaza are now entirely reliant on humanitarian aid.
Israel’s new plan to distribute aid through private security contractors was approved by its Security Cabinet on Sunday. However, the plan has been rejected by the UN and numerous international aid groups, who argue that it undermines humanitarian principles and poses serious safety risks for both civilians and aid workers.
The UN Humanitarian Country Team in Gaza said it would only support aid efforts that adhere to the principles of humanity, neutrality, independence, and impartiality. UNRWA, which has been central to aid operations in Gaza, announced it would not participate in the Israeli plan, stating that it “doesn’t adhere to UN standards at all.”
Since the beginning of the Israeli military campaign in Gaza in October 2023, over 52,500 Palestinians have been killed, according to data from Gaza health authorities. The UN has reported that the majority of those killed are women and children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has documented the destruction of more than 75% of Gaza’s hospitals and primary health care facilities due to repeated airstrikes, severely limiting access to medical care.
Israel’s actions in Gaza are currently under international legal scrutiny. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in November for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes. Additionally, Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
