The hunger crisis in Gaza is a ‘catastrophe’ despite the ceasefire, the chief says
The hunger crisis in Gaza remains a “catastrophe” two weeks after the health minister started working, as UN groups have warned, as International Aid groups demand that Israel end the hunger strike.
The services that enter the besieged ears have nothing to do with the nutritional needs of the people who live there, Aid World groups say that they do not have their daily 2,000 tons because they are only opened in the Palestinian territory.
“This situation remains a disaster because what is coming in is not enough,” said the country’s head of health, adding that “no man is hungry because there is not enough food.”
At least a quarter of Gaza’s population, including 11,500 pregnant women, are starving, the UN warned on Wednesday, saying the effects of malnutrition would have “ripple” effects on Gaza.
Seventy percent of newborns are not born prematurely or a thousand, compared to 20 percent before October 2023, the Deputy Director General of the United Nations Populartution Fund (EFFATA), said Wednesday.
“Malnutrition will have general consequences, not only for the Mother, but also for the newborns, which may lead to long-term care and problems in the child’s life,” he added.
Famine was reported in Gaza City and its surrounding area in August, with the Integrated Food Security (IPC) classification indicating at the time more than 500,000 people in the Gaza Strip they are facing “catastrophic conditions”.
The US trade fire started working October 10. As part of the ceasefire agreement, the delivery of humanitarian aid was to be stepped up, with the UN aiming for 2,000 tons of aid every day. But only about 750 metric tons of food enters the Gaza Strip every day, WFP announced on Tuesday, because only two crossings controlled by Israel – In Gaza it works – Karea Abu Salem in the south and Al-Karara in the center (called Kerem Shalom and Karsufim in Israel, respectively).
Palestinian woman Pallesin holds the hand of her son Majd Salem, a six-month-old malnourished baby weighing 3.5kg at birth weighing 300 grams at six months, at Kamal Adan hospital in northern Gaza, May 9, 2024 [File: Mahmoud Issa/Reuters]
“The situation in the Gaza Strip remains tragic, even two weeks after the cease-fire,” Bahaa Zaqout, director of external relations at the Palestinian NGO Parc, said.
Zaqout pointed to examples of biscuits, chocolate and soda being allowed on commercial trucks, while items such as seeds and olives continued to be banned from entry.
“Unfortunately, these do not respond to the nutritional values needed for children, women and high-risk groups,” he added, noting that seasonal fruits and vegetables are more expensive.
One kilogram (2.2 kilograms) of tomatoes, which used to cost one shekel, now costs about 15 shekels ($4.50), he said.
Forty ATICAL organizations, including Oxfam and the Norwegian Refugee Council, issued an open letter on Thursday accusing AID MASHT’S “saying that the Israeli government has blocked its initial requests.
“Between 10 and 21 October, 99 requests by foreign NGOs to deliver aid to Gaza were rejected, while six requests sent by UN organizations were rejected,” the letter said. “The aid prohibited by the Israeli authorities includes tents and tarpaulins, blankets, rescues and healthy food, hygiene devices, children’s devices, all of which must not be banned during the lifting of the restriction.”
On WednesdayThe International Court of Justice (CJ) which governs Israel is responsible for ensuring that the “basic needs” of the people of Gaza are met. In April, United Nations and Palestinian lawyers representing the ICJ accused Israel of violating international law by refusing to allow aid to Gaza between March and May.
While some aid has been allowed into Gaza since then, humanitarian groups say more is needed and demand that Israel provide more access.
“Needs are covered, staff are equipped and ready to respond at scale,” aid organizations said in their open letter on Thursday. “What we need now is access. The Israeli authorities must uphold their obligations under international law and the terms of the ceasefire agreement.”
Israel’s war in Gaza has killed at least 68,280 people and injured 170,375 since October 2023, according to the Palestinian health authorities. 1,139 people were killed in the Hamas – led October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel and more than 200 others were captured.
