Gaza: The UN's top humanitarian official has issued a grave warning about the accelerating humanitarian disaster in Gaza, stating that one in three people has not eaten for days, with children suffering from severe malnutrition amid dire food aid shortages.
According to TRTworld.com, Tom Fletcher, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, highlighted the urgent need for international intervention. Despite Israel's recent decision to support a one-week scale-up of aid, Fletcher emphasized that the amounts needed to prevent a famine are substantial.
"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is devastating. One in three people in Gaza hasn't eaten for days. People are being shot just trying to get food to feed their families," Fletcher stated in a message shared on X. He also stressed that aid must not be obstructed, delayed, or attacked, reiterating the UN's call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
Fletcher added that beyond temporary measures, a permanent ceasefire is crucial. The conflict has already resulted in the deaths of nearly 60,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, due to Israel's military actions in the blockaded enclave.
Palestine's official WAFA news agency reports that approximately 11,000 Palestinians are feared buried under the rubble of destroyed homes. However, experts believe the actual death toll might be substantially higher, estimating it could be around 200,000 as the violence continues to devastate the region.
The ongoing conflict has left the blockaded enclave in ruins and has led to widespread displacement of its population. In a significant international response last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Furthermore, Israel is currently facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its military actions in the enclave.
