Conflict in Gaza: WHO Director Warns of Severe Food Shortages Amongst Gaza Residents Beyond the Exchanges of Firearms and Explosives
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to take a devastating toll on its population, with mass deaths due to hunger and malnutrition becoming increasingly prevalent. The United Nations Human Rights Office has accused the Israeli army of killing over 1,000 people in Gaza since late May, with the majority of these deaths occurring near centers of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an organization supported by the United States and Israel.
The GHF, which provides essential humanitarian aid, has been a focal point of the Israeli army's actions, with numerous reports of people being killed while seeking aid near its centers. The director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO) has stated that a large proportion of the population in Gaza is at risk of dying due to extreme food shortages.
The Gaza Strip has been ravaged by over 21 months of war, and the global acute malnutrition rate has exceeded 10%. A Gaza hospital reported that 21 children had died from malnutrition or hunger in just 72 hours, while the WHO has recorded 21 deaths of children under five linked to malnutrition since the beginning of the year. Moreover, more than 20% of pregnant and lactating women in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, with over 100 aid groups warning of "mass starvation" due to the Israeli government's restrictions on aid entering the territory. UNICEF reports catastrophic living conditions for nearly 1 million children in Gaza, with severe food insecurity and malnutrition. The Red Cross notes that nearly half a million people are facing starvation, with severe child malnutrition being a major concern.
International aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam International, are involved in efforts to address the crisis by advocating for unrestricted access to aid. UNICEF and the Red Cross are actively working to deliver urgent supplies and address malnutrition, particularly among children.
Israel has been criticized for its restrictions on aid, which are exacerbating the crisis. Israel blames Hamas for the situation, citing concerns over the diversion of aid. There are ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas over humanitarian relief, including demands for the restoration of a UN-administered relief network.
While specific details about a "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation" supported by the United States and Israel are not available, the broader humanitarian effort in Gaza involves numerous international organizations advocating for better access to aid and highlighting the dire need for humanitarian assistance amidst political and military tensions. The situation in Gaza is man-made and due to a blockade, with the deaths occurring as a result of these harsh conditions.
- The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a recipient of support from both the United States and Israel, is at the center of Israeli army actions, with numerous reports of civilians being killed while seeking aid near its centers.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concern over the extreme food shortages affecting a large proportion of the Gaza population, stating that this puts many at the risk of dying.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is escalating, with over 100 aid groups warning of mass starvation due to the Israeli government's restrictions on aid entering the territory.
- International organizations like Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam International are advocating for unrestricted access to aid to address the crisis in Gaza, with particular focus on addressing malnutrition, especially among children.
