In brief
The World Food Programme issues a grave warning that nearly a third of Gaza’s population is experiencing severe food shortages, prompting international calls for action.
Almost a third of the people in Gaza are going days without proper sustenance, as highlighted by the latest report from the United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP). The organization stated that malnutrition is soaring, particularly affecting 90,000 women and children who urgently require medical attention. This alarming rebound comes alongside reports from Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry that indicated nine more deaths due to malnutrition on Friday, raising the total to 122 since the conflict commenced.Israel, which oversees the flow of supplies into Gaza, maintains that there are no restrictions on aid and places the blame for malnutrition on Hamas. An Israeli security official mentioned potential plans for airdrops of supplies into Gaza in the coming days. However, aid organizations have expressed concerns that airdrops are not the most effective means of delivering assistance to those in need. Although reports emerged of the United Arab Emirates and Jordan preparing to carry out airdrops, a senior Jordanian official indicated that permission from Israel has yet to be obtained.Amid growing international concern over Gaza’s humanitarian situation, Germany, France, and the UK issued a joint statement urging Israel to immediately lift restrictions on aid. They labeled the conditions in Gaza as a "humanitarian catastrophe" and insisted that Israel must comply with international humanitarian law. They condemned the withholding of essential supplies from civilians, deeming it unacceptable.UN Secretary-General António Guterres also criticized the international community for its perceived indifference, highlighting the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza. He pointed out that over 1,000 Palestinians have lost their lives while attempting to secure food, as documented by UN records since May.In related news, a US security contractor claimed to have witnessed serious violations against civilians during his time in Gaza, attributing these incidents to the Israeli Defence Forces and US contractors, labeling such actions as war crimes. However, the organization he worked for, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, refuted these claims, describing them as unsubstantiated and a result of a former employee's misconduct.The complexities of the negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release remain in limbo, particularly following the withdrawal of US and Israeli negotiating teams from Qatar. President Donald Trump expressed a belief that Hamas is not interested in negotiating, which surprised the militant group, as a senior Hamas official indicated that discussions are still ongoing and that the Israeli delegation is expected to return.The ongoing conflict, spurred by a Hamas attack on October 7, has resulted in over 59,000 deaths in Gaza, according to health officials. Israel's tightening blockade on aid since early March, followed by a reintroduction of military actions against Hamas two weeks later, has led to a significant deterioration in the availability of food, medicine, and other essential supplies. With most of the population displaced multiple times, over 90% of homes in Gaza are reported to be damaged or destroyed, raising urgent questions about the humanitarian future of the region.
