By Trend News Line 2024-03-19 09:00:00.
Famine “imminent” in northern Gaza as 70% of residents face catastrophic hunger
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RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — A report issued Monday warned that famine is “imminent” in northern Gaza, where 70 percent of residents are experiencing catastrophic hunger. The report, by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), an initiative involving U.N. agencies and aid groups, stated that the escalation of the war could push half of Gaza’s total population to the brink of starvation.
The European Union’s top diplomat described the impending famine as “entirely man-made,” accusing starvation of being used as a weapon of war. Aid groups have been calling for Israel to streamline the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip and to open more land crossings, as deliveries by air and sea are considered too slow and too small.
Israeli forces launched a raid on the Gaza Strip’s largest hospital, Shifa Hospital, early Monday, claiming that Hamas militants had regrouped there and fired on them from within the compound. Clashes continued throughout the day, resulting in the deaths of 20 people identified as Hamas militants by the Israeli military. Among the dead was a senior commander in Gaza’s Hamas-led police forces.
The latest findings on hunger in Gaza revealed that virtually everyone in the region is struggling to get enough food, with around 677,000 people experiencing the highest level of catastrophic hunger. Outright famine is projected to occur in the north anytime between now and May.
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The report warned that if Israel broadens its offensive to the southern city of Rafah, over 1 million people could be driven into catastrophic hunger, potentially causing famine in the south. Aid agencies are calling for “all roads” to be opened for aid, including into northern and central Gaza, to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
The raid on Shifa Hospital has raised concerns about the safety of civilians seeking refuge in medical facilities. The Israeli military has accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities to shield its fighters, leading to raids on several hospitals since the start of the war.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that at least 31,726 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive, with women and children making up two-thirds of the casualties. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people in an attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and Hamas is still believed to be holding around 100 captives.
A Spanish NGO, Open Arms, has sent essential aid to Gaza by a barge towed by a ship from Cyprus. The food was provided by World Central Kitchen, the charity founded by celebrity chef José Andrés, which operates kitchens providing free meals in Gaza.
As the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, calls for increased aid and humanitarian access are growing louder. The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with hopes of preventing a full-blown famine in the region..
– Famine imminent northern Gaza
– Israel launches raid main hospital.
