The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) emphasized yesterday that restrictions on aid access have weakened the ability of humanitarian entities to reach those in need throughout the Gaza Strip.
Since March 1st, the Israeli army has prevented humanitarian aid missions from reaching all parts of Gaza, alerting that the blockade imposed on Gaza, including closed crossings, water and electricity shortages, are key elements of the major humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza.
“In the period from March 23 to 29, the Israeli authorities allowed 42% (8 out of 19 missions) of humanitarian aid missions to enter northern Gaza, while 8 missions were rejected, and 3 were postponed or withdrawn,” the OCHA said.
The humanitarian coordination office stated in its statement issued yesterday that reports of intense Israeli airstrikes and ground operations continue to result in more civilian casualties, displacement, and destruction of homes and other civilian infrastructure.
More than 1.1 million people in the strip face “acute food insecurity,” it said.
It emphasized the need to send sufficient food aid through land routes to save lives, especially in northern Gaza.
The OCHA added that “obstacles to aid entry are still in place and time is running out.”
On the other hand, medical sources announced yesterday the death of a child in the town of Beit Lahia in northern Gaza due to famine and lack of treatment, raising the number of deaths due to malnutrition in the strip to 30.
In this context, a senior official at the US State Department said yesterday that famine represents a very real threat in at least some areas, especially in northern Gaza, and that the scarcity of trucks is a major obstacle to providing further humanitarian aid in the densely populated sector under Israeli blockade.
The senior official, who requested anonymity, told Reuters: “We can confidently say that famine poses a significant risk in the south and center, but it is not present. However, it is a likely threat in some areas at least, which explains the urgency with which we must transport goods and food widely to the north.”
The official said that the number of trucks distributing aid in southern and central Gaza has exceeded 200 trucks per day, representing an increase compared to last month, but there is a need for more.
“It is necessary to meet the full nutritional needs of the population of Gaza of all ages, and this means more than just the minimum level of nutrition needed to survive,” he added.
He explained that malnutrition and the mortality rate among newborns and children are a major problem that is worsening.
“This problem needs to be addressed by providing additional assistance and delivering the appropriate type of aid,” he added.
