Experts warn of “imminent famine” in Gaza as Israel continues offensive
- 8 November, 09:04
A committee of global food security experts has warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza strip as Israel continues military operation in the area.
“Immediate action, within days not weeks, is required from all actors who are directly taking part in the conflict, or have influence on its conduct, to avert and alleviate this catastrophic situation,” the independent Famine Review Committee, FRC, said in a statement on Friday.
The rare warning follows a United States deadline for Israel to improve humanitarian situation in the exclave or face potential restrictions on US military aid. According to UN estimates, 75,000 and 95,000 people still remain in northern Gaza.
Israel launched offensive in northern Gaza in October to fight Hamas military group in the area.
Famine Review Committee said “famine thresholds may have already been crossed or else will be in the near future,” in Gaza, stressing that it could be “assumed that starvation, malnutrition, and excess mortality due to malnutrition and disease, are rapidly increasing” in the area.
The amount of aid entering Gaza has reached record low this year, as Israel has been blocking attempt to deliver humanitarian supplies, according to a UN data.
The US has urged Israel to allow a minimum of 350 trucks a day carrying food and other supplies to northern Gaza. However, Israel has been blocking this aid, with its UN Ambassador Danny Danon claiming last month that Hamas militants were hijacking the assistance – a claim that the group has denied.
