GENEVA (Reuters) – The U.N. World Food Programme called on Tuesday for immediate action to avert famine in the Gaza Strip, warning that the humanitarian crisis there could soon worsen amid what it said were severe restrictions on aid flows.
A global monitor warned this month that the whole of the Palestinian enclave remained at risk of famine, with Israeli military operations adding to concerns and hampering humanitarian access.
“Now, as the situation in northern Gaza continues to deteriorate, the likelihood of a larger group being impacted by famine will surely increase unless conditions on the ground improve,” said WFP, the United Nations’ food agency.
WFP said that it had approximately 94,000 tonnes of food standing by in Egypt and Jordan that could feed 1 million people for four months, but that could not bring it into Gaza because too few entry points were open and others were not safe enough.
Since Israel seized the Rajah crossing with Egypt in May – months after it began its offensive in Gaza following the Ham as-led attack on Israeli communities on Oct. 7, 2023 – all routes into Gaza have been controlled by Israel.
“Restrictions on humanitarian aid coming into Gaza are severe,” WFP said, adding that only 5,000 tonnes had entered the Gaza Strip this month.
Other constraints that needed to be addressed to improve aid flows in Gaza include approval of trucks and truck drivers and delays at check points, it said.
(Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Friederike Heine and Timothy Heritage)
Comments