With more than 32,000 Palestinians been killed in Gaza since the war began in October, hunger has reached catastrophic levels, with over 90 per cent of the population facing acute food insecurity.
In northern Gaza, parents are feeding their children animal fodder and native plants, leading to possible malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. Now United Nations Works Relief Agency (UNRWA), has said Israel will end the U.N. food convoys to northern Gaza.
The head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, said on Sunday 24th March, Israel will no longer approve UNRWA food convoys to the north of Gaza.
Mr Lazzarini said on social media: “This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine. These restrictions must be lifted.”
UNRWA, which provides aid and services to Palestinian refugees in Gaza and across the region, has been in crisis since Israel accused a dozen of its staff of involvement in the 7th October Hamas attacks against Israel.
The allegations prompted UNRWA’s biggest donor, the United States, and some others to pause funding, putting the agency’s future in doubt.
However, other countries including Canada, Australia and Sweden have since restored funding.
“By preventing UNRWA to fulfil its mandate in Gaza, the clock will tick faster towards famine and many more will die of hunger, dehydration and lack of shelter,” Mr Lazzarini added.
Last week that Mr Lazzarini, who was on a visit to Cairo, was denied entry to Gaza by Israeli authorities.
