Gaza: More than 100 aid organizations have issued a stark warning about the dire humanitarian situation in the besieged Gaza Strip, where "mass starvation" looms large due to an ongoing Israeli blockade. This urgent appeal comes as the United States’ top envoys prepare to visit Europe for discussions on a potential ceasefire and the establishment of an aid corridor.
According to TRTworld.com, a statement endorsed by 111 non-governmental organizations, including prominent groups such as Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Save the Children, and Oxfam, highlighted the deteriorating conditions. The document cautioned that both aid workers and those they serve are experiencing severe deprivation. The coalition of NGOs called for an immediate negotiated ceasefire, the reopening of all land crossings, and the unrestricted flow of aid facilitated by UN-led mechanisms. They emphasized that "the humanitarian system cannot run on false promises," and humanitarian efforts cannot wait for political commitments that fail to ensure access.
The Palestinian Health Ministry has reported a grim toll, stating that at least 15 Palestinians, including four children, succumbed to starvation in the past 24 hours alone. These deaths contribute to a growing number of fatalities related to malnutrition—101 since October 2023, with 80 of the victims being children. The ongoing conflict has claimed the lives of over 59,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, as Israel continues its military operations in the blockaded enclave.
The devastation in Gaza is compounded by fears that approximately 11,000 Palestinians remain trapped beneath the rubble of demolished homes, as reported by Palestine’s official WAFA news agency. Experts believe the actual death toll may be significantly higher than official reports, with estimates suggesting the number could reach around 200,000. Throughout the conflict, Israel has left much of the enclave in ruins and has displaced nearly the entire population. The blockade has also prevented the entry of crucial humanitarian aid, except for a controversial US-backed aid group criticized as a "death trap" for bypassing established UN aid channels.
