Crisis in Gaza: Over 100 Groups Alarm Over Looming Mass Starvation

More than 100 international aid organizations, including renowned groups like Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children, and Oxfam, have issued a stark warning about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. These organizations have joined forces to highlight the dire situation, with their statement describing colleagues and the people they serve as "wasting away" due to extreme food shortages and lack of essential supplies.

Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies into Gaza, has rejected these claims, accusing the humanitarian groups of aiding Hamas' propaganda. The Israeli government maintains that its actions are aimed at exerting pressure on Hamas to free Israeli hostages and ensure security for its citizens. However, the ongoing blockade has severely worsened the already dire conditions in Gaza.

According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, 43 Palestinians have died from malnutrition in just four days. This includes 10 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours alone. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that a quarter of Gaza's population is facing famine-like conditions, with nearly 100,000 women and children suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Many are in urgent need of medical intervention to survive.

Dr. Ahmad al-Farra, head of paediatrics at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, described the harrowing scenes his team faces daily. "Children come to us in varying stages of starvation. Some are malnourished and die in our care, while others arrive with health issues that prevent them from absorbing nutrients," he told the BBC. The situation has reached a critical point, with hospitals overwhelmed by patients suffering from severe exhaustion and dehydration.

The economic toll on Gaza's population is devastating. Basic food prices have skyrocketed, with one resident stating, "Every day we need 300 shekels just for flour." This financial strain, combined with the lack of food, medicine, and fuel, has left families struggling to survive. Aid workers report that they are forced to join the same food lines as the people they aim to help, risking their own safety to feed their families.

Despite the global outcry, the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza remains severely restricted. According to the organizations, only an average of 28 truckloads of aid are distributed daily. Tons of supplies, including food, clean water, and medical supplies, remain stockpiled outside Gaza, unable to reach those in need due to the blockade. The UN has repeatedly emphasized that Israel, as the occupying power, is obligated under international law to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.

Israel has defended its actions, stating that it acts in accordance with international law and facilitates the entry of aid while preventing it from reaching Hamas. However, recent UN reports indicate a significant drop in supplies reaching Palestinians, with the majority of aid convoys facing challenges in delivering assistance. The UN has also documented the killing of over 1,050 Palestinians attempting to secure food since May.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to worsen, with over 90% of the population displaced and confined to less than 12% of the territory not under Israeli military control. This has made aid operations nearly impossible, leaving millions at risk of starvation. The international community is increasingly urging for a resolution to the conflict, with many calling for immediate action to prevent further loss of life.