Gaza Crisis: UN Warns of Catastrophic Hunger Amidst Escalating Violence

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United Nations: Heavy shelling was reported in the supposed safe zone of Al-Mawasi in southern Gaza on Thursday, despite ongoing international efforts to secure a ceasefire. 

Meanwhile, the UN health agency reported that 32 deaths due to malnutrition had occurred, with 28 of those fatalities among children under five years old.

In a stark assessment of the dire situation after more than eight months of conflict, the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned that a significant portion of Gaza’s population now faces catastrophic hunger and conditions akin to famine.

So far, more than 8,000 children have been diagnosed and treated for acute malnutrition, including 1,600 with the most severe form.

Tedros emphasized that despite reports of increased food deliveries, there is no evidence that those most in need are receiving sufficient quantity and quality of food.

The situation is critical for dangerously malnourished children in Gaza, where only two of three specialized nutrition stabilization centers remain operational, according to UNICEF.

Access to health care is severely hindered by escalating hostilities across Gaza, as reported by the UN aid coordination office, OCHA.

Despite ongoing operational and security challenges, humanitarian partners are managing to provide health services to approximately 280,000 people weekly in Gaza.

However, shortages of cooking gas and electricity are hampering efforts to sustain community kitchens and bakeries.

Distribution of food aid continues to face obstacles due to active fighting, damaged infrastructure, limited entry points, restricted operating hours at crossings, and a shortage of trucks allowed access, noted the UN aid office.

Tedros emphasized that besides food aid, other critical assistance must reach those in need to alleviate months of near-starvation conditions in Gaza.

In the occupied West Bank, OCHA warned of worsening conditions amid ongoing violence by Israeli forces and settlers targeting Palestinians.

Since October 7, over 520 Palestinians, including nearly a quarter children, have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

According to OCHA, the majority of fatalities resulted from operations by Israeli forces, with more than 5,200 Palestinians injured during this period. Attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinians have also surged, totaling 960 incidents since October 7.

Echoing these concerns, Tedros highlighted that the WHO documented 480 attacks on healthcare in the West Bank during the same period, leading to 16 deaths and 95 injuries.

He underscored that while attention is often focused on Gaza, a growing health crisis in the West Bank is exacerbated by attacks on healthcare facilities and restrictions on movement.

The expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank has further restricted Palestinians’ access to healthcare services, Tedros added, noting that many clinics operate only two days a week and hospitals are at 70% capacity in most areas.