Gaza City, State of Palestine – A dire situation is unfolding in northern Gaza as reports indicate that famine is looming, with 70% of the population already experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger. The United Nations-backed report issued a stark warning on Monday, underscoring the urgency of the crisis. The European Union’s top diplomat has accused Israel of weaponizing starvation in the region, exacerbating the food insecurity situation.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), all 2.2 million residents of Gaza are facing food shortages, with half of the population on the verge of starvation. The report projects that famine could hit the northern part of the region between mid-March and May 2024, painting a grim picture of the potential outcomes.
Tragically, acute hunger and malnutrition have already surpassed the famine threshold in northern Gaza, leading to a concerning increase in deaths and widespread suffering. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the severity of the situation, labeling it as the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported at least 25 deaths, including children and infants, due to starvation and dehydration. Families are resorting to desperate measures like eating grass and drinking polluted water to survive. Mothers are struggling to feed their babies, leading to a heartbreaking plea for infant formula at overwhelmed health facilities.
International organizations like the World Food Programme have condemned the man-made crisis in Gaza, highlighting the urgent need for access to humanitarian aid. The situation is exacerbated by Israel’s restrictions on aid delivery and the widespread destruction in the region. Without immediate intervention and a ceasefire, the famine conditions are likely to spread and claim more lives.
Efforts to address the crisis are hindered by Israel’s alleged obstruction of aid entry into Gaza, as reported by aid workers and government officials. The situation is particularly dire in the northern Gaza governates, where a large portion of the population is facing catastrophic conditions.
The looming threat of famine could be mitigated if aid organizations are granted full access to Gaza to provide essential supplies to the civilian population. A ceasefire is urgently needed to prevent further escalation of violence and alleviate the suffering in the region. The international community, including the United States, has voiced deep concerns over the situation and called for immediate action to avert a humanitarian catastrophe.