New York (Web Desk): The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has sounded the alarm over an impending famine in northern Gaza, urgently calling for immediate action to prevent a full-blown humanitarian catastrophe.
The agency has emphasized the need for quick intervention "within days" to alleviate the worsening crisis.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, UNRWA called for "immediate, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access" to the region, alongside a ceasefire to ensure aid can reach those in desperate need. The warning came shortly after Philippe Lazzarini, the head of UNRWA, stated that "famine is likely already happening" in the north of Gaza.
"This is a man-made disaster," Lazzarini said, pointing to the blockade and military operations by Israeli forces as key factors driving the hunger crisis. He accused Israel of using hunger as a weapon, denying Gaza’s residents the basic necessities needed to survive.
Lazzarini further criticized the inadequate level of aid reaching Gaza, noting that while around 30 trucks of supplies are being allowed in daily, this is “far from enough” to meet the needs of the population.
He revealed that the aid being delivered can only cover the essential needs of around 6 percent of those in northern Gaza, leaving the rest of the population without enough food, water, or medicine.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), between 75,000 and 95,000 people remain trapped in northern Gaza, facing the dual threats of Israeli airstrikes and starvation.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also warned on Saturday that the region is on the brink of famine, calling the situation "deeply alarming."
Data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) indicates that famine is likely already taking hold in parts of northern Gaza.
Tedros echoed the calls for a swift and scaled-up humanitarian response, stressing that aid, particularly food and medical supplies, must be delivered within days—not weeks—if lives are to be saved.
Since the outbreak of conflict on October 7, 2023, Israel's ongoing military offensive has resulted in the deaths of nearly 44,000 Palestinians, injured over 100,000, and displaced more than 2.2 million people.
In addition to the violence, Israel's blockade has severely restricted the flow of essential goods, exacerbating shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
A group of independent global food security experts also issued a rare warning, saying there is a "strong likelihood" that famine is imminent in northern Gaza.
The Famine Review Committee (FRC) called for immediate action from all parties involved in the conflict, warning that the situation is critical and cannot wait.
Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) raised concerns about Israel’s tactics, accusing the Israeli government of pursuing a "starve or leave" policy in northern Gaza, aiming to force Palestinians to flee under intense military pressure.
