Quarter of Gaza one step from famine as aid trucks looted, says UN

A distressing report from UN officials on Tuesday revealed a dire situation unfolding in Gaza, where aid trucks are being targeted, shot at, and looted. With approximately a quarter of Gaza’s population teetering on the edge of starvation, the gravity of the crisis cannot be overstated.

Particularly in the northern region, where the aftermath of Israel’s military campaign has left vast areas decimated, the scarcity of humanitarian supplies exacerbates the plight of the people.

During a briefing to the UN Security Council, UN humanitarian coordinator Ramesh Ramasingham painted a bleak picture, warning of a potential further deterioration of conditions. He underscored the alarming prevalence of acute malnutrition and wasting among children under the age of two, affecting one in six infants in northern Gaza, a condition where the body wastes away.

Echoing Ramasingham’s concerns, Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Program (WFP), described Gaza as witnessing the worst levels of child malnutrition globally. Skau issued a stark warning, asserting that without intervention, the specter of famine looms ominously over the region.

The breakdown of civil order in Gaza was starkly illustrated by the challenges faced by WFP convoys attempting to deliver aid. Despite efforts to provide immediate relief, the convoys encountered delays, violence, and looting at checkpoints, hindering the distribution of essential supplies to those in need.

Maurizio Martina, deputy director general of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), shed light on the devastating impact of the blockade on food production and distribution infrastructure. With agricultural activities already in decline, Gaza faces the looming prospect of a complete halt in food production by May.

In response to accusations leveled by Israel’s deputy UN ambassador Brett Miller, UN officials reiterated the urgent need for a ceasefire to facilitate safe access for humanitarian workers. They emphasized that addressing the imminent threat of famine requires concerted efforts to ensure the security of aid delivery operations in Gaza.