GAZA: The UN Security Council is set to hold a session this evening to discuss the famine in northern Gaza, at the request of Algeria, Guyana, Slovenia, and Switzerland.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency – WAFA, the request for the session comes in the wake of a recent report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Famine Review Committee warning of an imminent and significant risk of famine in northern Gaza due to the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Strip. The Famine Review Committee stressed that ‘immediate action is needed within days, not weeks, by all actors to avert this catastrophic situation.’
The Director of Food Security and Nutrition Analysis at the World Food Programme, Jean-Martin Bauer, highlighted the strong risk of famine in parts of northern Gaza. This risk is attributed to large-scale displacement, reduced trade and humanitarian flows into Gaza, the destruction of infrastructure and health facilities, and challenges related to the work of UNRWA.
Bauer noted a ‘significant decrease in the number of trucks entering Gaza in late October,’ with only 58 trucks entering daily, compared to about 200 during the summer, mainly carrying humanitarian aid.
Bauer further explained that the drop in aid flows has doubled food prices in northern Gaza in recent weeks, making them ‘almost ten times higher than before the October events.’ He emphasized that ‘the eyes of the world must be on Gaza, and action is needed now.’
Stephanie Tremblay, UN deputy spokesperson, underscored the importance of providing civilians access to essential needs such as food, shelter, and medical care. She stressed the need to protect civilians in the north and throughout Gaza.
On 5 October 2024, Israeli forces launched a new ground offensive in northern Gaza, imposing a tight blockade that blocked the flow of humanitarian aid, medicine, water, and food supplies. This action besieged hospitals, rendering most of them out of service, and resulted in the bombing of shelters. Since October
7, 2023, the ongoing aggression has led to the deaths and injuries of more than 146,000 individuals, predominantly children and women.
