UN calls on Israel to allow unrestricted aid into Gaza
Manila, Philippines:
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that the entire population of Gaza is experiencing “severe levels of acute food insecurity” and stressed the urgency of increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
“By the most respected measures, 100 percent of Gaza’s population is severely acutely food insecure. This is the first time an entire population has been so classified,” Blinken told a news conference in the Philippines. for an official visit.
Blinken’s comments came on the eve of his return to the Middle East, this time to Saudi Arabia and Egypt to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and increase aid delivery.
A United Nations-backed food security assessment warned on Monday that half of Gazans are experiencing “catastrophic” hunger, with famine expected to emerge in the territory’s north by May unless urgent intervention is taken.
UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths called on Israel to allow unrestricted aid into besieged Palestinian territories, saying “no time can be wasted”.
On October 7, Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel, and the bloodiest Gaza War in history broke out. Israel has responded with relentless bombing and ground offensives in Hamas-controlled Palestinian territory.
The United Nations has been warning of a looming famine for weeks as aid agencies report huge difficulties entering Gaza, particularly in the north.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) Partnership said on Monday that while the technical criteria for famine have not yet been met, “all evidence points to a significant acceleration in death and malnutrition”.
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