Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that no one in Gaza is starving, despite mounting evidence to the contrary. However, international pressure and data suggest otherwise. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with reports of emaciated children, increasing malnutrition-related deaths, and a severe shortage of aid.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 63 malnutrition-related deaths have occurred in Gaza this month alone, including 24 children under the age of 5. Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported an even higher number of deaths, with 82 individuals dying from malnutrition-related causes in the past month. The medical officials attribute these deaths to starvation and pre-existing illnesses exacerbated by lack of access to aid.
Gaza has been at risk of famine for months, with experts warning that recent developments have dramatically worsened the situation. The blockade by Israel, combined with gang looting of aid trucks, has made it difficult to deliver food safely. Despite this, international pressure has led to some measures being taken, including daily humanitarian pauses and airdrops.
However, eyewitness accounts suggest that these measures have had little impact on the ground. A recent airdrop was met with fighting over supplies, while aid trucks are often swarmed by hungry people. The U.N. World Food Program spokesperson, Martin Penner, stated that aid trucks were looted before they reached warehouses.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza highlights the need for an effective solution to address the shortage of aid. Palestinians call for a full return to the U.N.-led aid distribution system, while international agencies emphasize the importance of truck deliveries.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/gaza-starvation-israel-palestinians-aid-netanyahu-war-5315b1bdf244a21790a056570bb0ae19