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WHO Warns of Man-Made Starvation Crisis in Gaza Due to Aid Blockade

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a grave warning regarding the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, highlighting that Palestinians are facing a “man-made” mass starvation due to an ongoing aid blockade imposed by Israel. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the comments following a public appeal signed by over 100 humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam International.

According to Ghebreyesus, the blockade has severely restricted the distribution of essential supplies such as food, clean water, and medical resources. “Just outside Gaza, in warehouses – and even within Gaza itself – tonnes of food, clean water, medical supplies, shelter items, and fuel sit untouched,” he stated. The WHO director emphasized that these commodities remain inaccessible to humanitarian organizations, exacerbating the crisis.

Urgent Call for Action from Humanitarian Organizations

The letter from the humanitarian organizations condemned the Israeli government’s measures, stating that the restrictions have led to “chaos, starvation, and death.” They urged for immediate and substantial action, criticizing what they termed “piecemeal arrangements” like aid drops, which they argue cannot replace the legal obligations to protect Palestinian civilians.

Ghebreyesus reiterated the severity of the situation at a virtual press conference from Geneva, stating, “Mass starvation means starvation of a large portion of the population. And a large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving.” He clarified that the term was appropriate given the alarming conditions on the ground, noting that at least 10 individuals have succumbed to hunger within the last 24 hours, raising the total number of starvation-related deaths to 111, including 80 children.

In July alone, over 5,100 children have been admitted to malnutrition programs, according to Rik Peeperkorn, the WHO’s representative for the occupied Palestinian territories. These figures paint a stark picture of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

Challenges in Aid Distribution

Currently, food distribution in Gaza is managed by the US and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). However, this organization has faced intense scrutiny, with UN officials labeling its distribution points as “death traps.” Since the end of May, over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly lost their lives while attempting to access food distribution sites, leading many to avoid these locations out of fear.

The GHF has been condemned for its violations of aid principles and has faced allegations of complicity in the war crime of weaponizing starvation. As conditions worsen, Israeli military strikes continue to result in civilian casualties. An analysis of UN data revealed that Israel has killed one person approximately every 12 minutes in July, marking one of the deadliest months since the military campaign intensified in October 2023.

Since the escalation began, more than 59,000 individuals have been reported killed in Gaza, with the death toll continuing to rise. The situation remains critical, and the call for immediate international intervention is becoming increasingly urgent.

The humanitarian crisis in Gaza raises serious ethical and moral concerns as the world watches the unfolding tragedy. Continued advocacy and action are necessary to address the profound suffering of the Palestinian population and to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in desperate need.

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