Famine Crisis in Northern Gaza Amid Israeli Military Operations
Samantha Power, the administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, has warned that famine is currently underway in northern Gaza as a result of ongoing Israeli military operations in the region. The area has been heavily damaged by the war and is entirely cut off from aid, leaving its residents unable to access much-needed relief supplies.
Global experts and aid agencies had long been sounding the alarm about the impending humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 2.2 million Palestinians are at risk of extreme hunger. Ms. Power highlighted a recent assessment by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification initiative, which confirmed that famine is already a reality in northern Gaza.
The situation has only worsened with the escalation of the military offensive last October, leading to a surge in severe malnutrition among Gazan children. Reports from the region paint a grim picture of widespread food shortages, with some residents resorting to eating boiled bitter weeds and hot water with stinging nettles just to survive.
Despite these challenges, aid agencies are working tirelessly to deliver relief supplies to the area. However, their efforts are often hampered by the ongoing violence, with reports of vehicles being targeted by live ammunition while attempting to enter northern Gaza.
Ms. Power’s remarks came during her recent congressional testimony, where she emphasized the severity of the crisis based on credible assessments. The U.S. Agency for International Development has since clarified that conditions in northern Gaza remain dire, with famine predicted to become even more acute between mid-March and May.
As the situation in northern Gaza continues to deteriorate, urgent action is needed to prevent further suffering and loss of life in the region.
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