Northern Gaza in 'full-blown' famine: Senior UN official

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) director said the comprehensive famine in northern Gaza might spread south. Northern Gaza is experiencing "full-blown" famine, according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) Director Cindy McCain. 

"Whenever you have conflicts like this, and emotions rage high, and things happen in a war, famine happens," she said during an interview with NBC aired on Saturday. 

"What I can explain to you is - is that there is famine - full-blown famine - in the north." 

McCain warned mass starvation was "moving its way south", where the vast majority of Gaza's population has fled fighting between Israel and Hamas. 

The UN has claimed since mid-March that northern Gaza is "nearing" a state of famine, though the organisation has not yet officially stated one had begun.

Human Rights Watch recently reported that children were dying from starvation-related complications in Gaza, claiming Israel was using starvation as a "weapon of war" - a war crime under international law.  

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell also said in March that Israel was "provoking famine" as a weapon of war.

NekoKamiGuru,
NekoKamiGuru avatar

If Hamas released the hostages and recognized the right of Israel to exist then it would be over forever . Aid would flow into Gaza like a dam of money had burst. They would get 98% of their demands with no questions asked and no contest given by Israel.

livus,
livus avatar

I doubt that but even if it were true none of this is helpful for the ordinary civilians of Gaza. Might as well say if aliens in a flying saucer released the hostages.

Moreover, even aid "flowing in" wouldn't be enough at this point. Aid workers and credible infrastructure are needed once children enter famine conditions.

What is happening now will have huge impacts on the civilian victims, for years to come.

Fizz,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

Dam that sucks

livus,
livus avatar

Yeah it's pretty scary. Once people really get into a famine you can't really fix it by just food, you need humanitarian workers to administer it.

Even if the whole thing stopped tomorrow it will take a lot of work.

Fizz,
@Fizz@lemmy.nz avatar

I heard they were close to a ceasefire and opening up a new aid corridor.

livus,
livus avatar

I really hope for an end to the hostilities and for an end to the mass starvation.

There is still far less aid coming in than there was in peacetime, and any new aid crossing will be subject to the same border chokehold. Israel still wants to attack Rafah which is full of civilian refugees.

livus,
livus avatar

Israel has been repeatedly accused of blocking or obstructing aid deliveries to northern Gaza, though humanitarian organisations have said the number of lorries being let in has increased since May. 

Aid convoys carrying vital have also reportedly been fired upon by Israeli forces, while others have been looted by desperate crowds and criminal gangs. 

World Central Kitchen, a US-based nonprofit group, resumed operations on Monday after seven of its aid workers were killed by an Israeli airstrike in April. It has distributed over 43 million meals across Gaza. 

Israel has denied such claims. It instead blamed the UN and other international organisations for logistical problems and delays.

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