Mounting despair among Palestinians as the UN declares a famine in Gaza, with locals lamenting delayed action
The United Nations declared a famine in Gaza on Friday, as the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory continues to worsen. The famine is affecting approximately 500,000 people, which covers about a fifth of the population, including Gaza City.
The situation in Gaza is dire, with displaced residents like Yousef Hamad from Beit Hanoun stating that charity kitchens do not satisfy their hunger. Ahmad Jundiyeh, a displaced resident of Zeitoun, shares similar sentiments, expressing fear that it feels like the end is near. Umm Mohammad, a 34-year-old from a charity kitchen in Deir el-Balah, stated that the UN's declaration of a famine came "far too late."
The chaos at the charity kitchens is palpable, with women and young children clamoring for food. One young boy was seen using his hands to scrape leftover grains from a cooking vat. The children in Gaza are reportedly staggering from dizziness due to lack of food and water.
The famine in Gaza is projected to expand to Deir el-Balah and Khan Yunis governorates by the end of September, covering around two-thirds of Gaza. The situation in the Sabra and Zeitoun neighborhoods includes the "complete levelling of entire residential blocks." The spokesman for Gaza's civil defence agency, Mahmud Bassal, described the situation as "absolutely catastrophic."
Israel's offensive has claimed the lives of at least 62,622 Palestinians, most of them civilians. The offensive was sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack that resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has vowed to destroy Gaza City if Hamas does not agree to disarm, release all remaining hostages in the territory, and end the war on Israel's terms.
However, the famine in Gaza was declared due to the systematic obstruction of aid by Israel during more than 22 months of war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the UN's report as "an outright lie."
Amidst this conflict and restrictions, Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of UNRWA, the United Nations agency responsible for Palestinian refugees, is leading humanitarian efforts to provide medical care, clean water, shelter, and aid in Gaza. Despite the challenges, Lazzarini and his team continue to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza.
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