A quarter of Gaza's population one step away from famine: UN official

A senior UN aid official warns of imminent famine in Gaza, as nearly a quarter of the population is facing hunger. Rajesh Rajasingham, director of coordination for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, has alerted the UN Security Council of the dire situation in the war-torn strip. Reports indicate that 5,76,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine, with one in six children suffering from acute malnutrition.

Rajasingham emphasized that widespread famine is almost inevitable if prompt action is not taken, as all 2.3 million people in Gaza rely on inadequate food aid to survive. The World Food Programme (WFP) stands ready to expand operations swiftly if a ceasefire agreement is reached. However, the risk of famine is exacerbated by the challenge of bringing essential food supplies into Gaza in sufficient quantities, as operating conditions for WFP staff on the ground are extremely challenging.

In a recent development, UN officials revealed that essential supplies including food rations, family tents, and ambulances have arrived at el-Arish airport in Egypt, near the Rafah crossing to Gaza. The urgency of the situation stems from the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which has claimed the lives of nearly 30,000 Palestinians since October 7. This crisis began when Hamas launched attacks in Southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 hostages into Gaza. The looming threat of famine adds another layer of urgency to the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.