The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached a critical point, with a senior UN aid official warning that half of the population is starving as the conflict continues.
Carl Skau, deputy director of the UN World Food Programme, revealed that only a fraction of the needed supplies have been able to enter the Strip, leaving nine out of 10 people without daily meals.
Conditions in Gaza have made deliveries nearly impossible, according to Mr. Skau. Israel insists on continuing air strikes to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages, stating that civilian casualties are regrettable but unavoidable in their pursuit.
Israel Defence Forces spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht expressed the military’s commitment to getting aid into Gaza, acknowledging the challenges.
Chief of staff of the IDF, Herzi Halevi, emphasized the need to press harder, pointing to signs of the collapse of terrorist networks.
Amidst the crisis, the Biden administration used an emergency law to authorize the sale of over $106 million worth of tank ammunition to Israel.
Movement in and out of Gaza has been restricted since October 7, when Hamas fighters breached Israel’s perimeter fence, resulting in a significant loss of life and hostages.
The Hamas-run health ministry reports over 17,700 Gazans killed in Israel’s retaliatory campaign, including more than 7,000 children.
With limited aid reaching Gaza, UN officials stress the urgency of a second border crossing to meet demand.
Mr Skau’s on-the-ground observations in Gaza revealed warehouses in confusion, distribution points with thousands of hungry people, supermarkets with bare shelves, and overcrowded shelters. In some areas, nine out of 10 families go a full day and night without any food.
Residents of Khan Younis, surrounded by Israeli tanks, describe a dire situation with insufficient food supply. Dr. Ahmed Moghrabi of Nasser Hospital expressed helplessness in providing for his three-year-old daughter’s basic needs.
International pressure and a temporary ceasefire last month allowed some aid into Gaza, but the WFP insists on the need for a second border crossing.
As the conflict continues, the focus remains on the humanitarian crisis, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the immediate needs of the vulnerable population in Gaza