A quarter of Gaza is one step from famine, says UN

A man holds a portrait of hostage Omer Neutra, 22, as relatives and supporters of Israeli captives held in Gaza, gather before the start of a four-day march to Jerusalem calling for their release, on Wednesday. Pic/AFP

At least one quarter of Gaza's population - 576,000 people - are one step away from famine and virtually the entire population desperately needs food resulting in aid trucks being shot at, looted and overwhelmed by hungry people, top UN officials said.

The officials from the UN humanitarian office and the UN's food and agriculture organisations painted a dire picture of all 2.3 million people in Gaza facing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse, and civil order breaking down especially in the north where food and other humanitarian supplies are scarce.

And as grim as the picture is today, UN humanitarian coordinator Ramesh Ramasingham told the UN Security Council that "there is every possibility for further deterioration." He said that in addition to a quarter of Gaza's population close to famine, 1 in 6 children under the age of two in northern Gaza are suffering from "acute malnutrition and wasting", where the body becomes emaciated.

Carl Skau, deputy executive director of the World Food Programme, said that is "the worst level of child malnutrition anywhere in the world". And he warned that "If nothing changes, a famine is imminent in northern Gaza" - the initial target of Israel's military offensive following Hamas' surprise attack in southern Israel on October 7 that killed some 1,200 people and led to about 250 being taken captive.

In the latest example of breakdown of civil order, Skau said WFP resumed deliveries to north Gaza for the first time in three weeks.

2.3m
Population of Gaza

‘Hamas, Iran and Hezbollah plotting Ramzan violence'

Hamas and Iranian proxy groups plan to turn the Islamic holy month of Ramzan into the "second phase of October 7", particularly with violence in Jerusalem, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant warned on Tuesday. "The main goal of Hamas is to take Ramzan with an emphasis on the Temple Mount and Jerusalem, and turn it into the second phase of their plan that began on October 7. This goal of Hamas is being amplified by Iran and Hezbollah."

Goal to get hostages released: US

Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the goal of US administration is to achieve a deal to reach a humanitarian pause and the release of hostages as soon as possible, US Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said. Miller said US has made a significant progress towards an agreement last week, when US officials engaged in the region. Asked about President Joe Biden's remarks about goal for a ceasefire amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Miller said, "So, our goal is to achieve a deal to reach a humanitarian pause and the release of hostages."

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