A senior United Nations official has accused Israel of continuing to block the delivery of UN aid to the Gaza Strip, while Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the World Food Programme, warned of a “widespread famine” in the northern part of the sector.
McCain stated, based on “the horrors” on the ground, “there is a famine, a widespread famine, in the north, and it is moving southward.” The Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), an agency of the Israeli Defense Ministry tasked with coordinating aid operations to the Palestinian territories, countered by stating that Israel has continued to enhance its efforts to increase aid to Gaza.
In a post on the platform X (formerly Twitter), the agency added, “During discussions between representatives from Israel and the United Nations, including representatives of the World Food Programme, no entity mentioned a risk of famine in northern Gaza.” The agency noted that “following the observation of an improved situation, international organizations last week stated that the volume of goods transported to northern Gaza should be reduced because the quantities are too large for the population size.”
The humanitarian situation in Gaza amid the recent war is dire and worsening. The ongoing conflict has resulted in unprecedented devastation, significantly impacting the civilian population. Nearly 25,000 people have been reported killed, with a majority being women and children, and more than 61,500 others injured . The situation is compounded by severe restrictions on humanitarian access and food supplies, leading to widespread hunger and starvation risks. It’s reported that 80% of all people facing famine or catastrophic hunger worldwide are now in Gaza .
The region is experiencing a man-made famine, with significant concerns about food shortages, particularly in northern Gaza, where access to essential resources is severely limited . Humanitarian organizations and UN officials have repeatedly called for immediate ceasefire and unimpeded humanitarian access to prevent further catastrophe and address the dire food and medical needs .
Efforts to negotiate peace and facilitate aid delivery continue to be hindered by geopolitical complexities and conflicts of interest among international actors, affecting the efficiency of relief operations and prolonging the suffering of Gazan civilians . The international community is urged to intensify efforts to resolve the crisis, with calls for adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians being paramount.
