UN Warns of Starvation in Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Continue

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has raised urgent concerns about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where residents face the threat of starvation. Despite the proximity of well-stocked supermarkets in Israel, UNRWA emphasized that Palestinians in Gaza are suffering dire food shortages. “People are being starved, while a few kilometers away supermarkets are loaded with food,” the agency stated on X, underscoring the need for immediate aid access.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also classified the situation in Gaza as a man-made “mass starvation.” During a media briefing, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus highlighted the severe impact of the ongoing blockade, saying, “Parents tell us their children cry themselves to sleep from hunger.” He reiterated that the blockade contributes to the crisis, asserting that the flow of aid remains insufficient. “This is because of (the) blockade,” Ghebreyesus noted, calling for a significant increase in humanitarian assistance.

Many aid organizations have echoed these sentiments, with over 100 groups recently declaring Gaza is experiencing “mass starvation.” Ghebreyesus reaffirmed their assessment, stating, “A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don’t know what you’d call it other than mass starvation.” He referenced a UN report indicating that more than 1,000 individuals seeking aid have died since late May, many near aid distribution sites.

In parallel, Hamas announced on Thursday that it submitted a new response to ceasefire mediators, following discussions about a potential agreement to halt hostilities and facilitate the release of hostages. The details of this proposal remain undisclosed. An Egyptian source indicated that negotiators from Qatar and Egypt had asked Hamas for a revised proposal after an earlier draft was rejected.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the efforts of the United States, which has been pressuring Israel to allow aid access and withdraw troops from specific areas. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, the US has communicated its dwindling patience with Hamas, emphasizing the need for a timely response to the framework for a ceasefire.

Within Gaza, humanitarian conditions continue to worsen. Dr. Fadel Naim, the director of Al-Ahli Hospital, has called for a significant increase in aid, stating that Gaza requires at least 1,500 aid trucks daily for a month to address the crisis adequately. On a recent day, only around 70 trucks were allowed into Gaza, a stark contrast to the average of 500 to 600 trucks that entered daily before the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023.

The ongoing blockade and the operations of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced criticism for its handling of aid, have further complicated the situation. The UN reports that many deaths have occurred at sites managed by the GHF, which was established to replace the UN’s traditional role in distributing aid. The foundation has been accused of failing to provide adequate access to essential supplies.

Gaza’s health ministry recently reported alarming statistics, indicating that approximately 900,000 children are currently experiencing hunger, with 70,000 showing signs of malnutrition. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, as negotiations for a ceasefire and increased humanitarian access remain critical to alleviating the suffering of those in Gaza.