The heads of six UN agencies have united to implore world leaders to act swiftly to ensure that food and essential supplies reach the Palestinians in Gaza. The region has been under an Israeli blockade preventing deliveries for over a month. In a joint statement, they expressed that Palestinians are "trapped, bombed and starved again," with aid accumulating at border crossings. The blockade was initially enforced on March 2, coinciding with the end of an initial ceasefire, amid demands for Hamas to agree to extend the truce, which the group has rejected, accusing Israel of breaching agreements.
Israel claims that there is sufficient food in Gaza for an extended period; however, the UN agencies refute this assertion. They emphasized the closure of Gaza’s bakeries and the dire shortage of medical supplies, stating, "While this offered a short respite, assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground." Core services have been severely impacted, with reports detailing empty markets and hospitals rationing life-saving medications.
The statement, endorsed by key UN agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), urged world leaders to ensure adherence to international humanitarian laws by protecting civilians, facilitating aid, and renewing ceasefire conditions.
Since the intensified conflict began following Hamas's unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023 – which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and the capture of hostages – Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have escalated, resulting in over 50,810 Palestinian fatalities according to local health authorities. As humanitarian conditions deteriorate amidst continued violence, the urgent call for international intervention remains a critical need.
Israel claims that there is sufficient food in Gaza for an extended period; however, the UN agencies refute this assertion. They emphasized the closure of Gaza’s bakeries and the dire shortage of medical supplies, stating, "While this offered a short respite, assertions that there is now enough food to feed all Palestinians in Gaza are far from the reality on the ground." Core services have been severely impacted, with reports detailing empty markets and hospitals rationing life-saving medications.
The statement, endorsed by key UN agencies including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), urged world leaders to ensure adherence to international humanitarian laws by protecting civilians, facilitating aid, and renewing ceasefire conditions.
Since the intensified conflict began following Hamas's unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023 – which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in Israel and the capture of hostages – Israeli airstrikes and ground operations have escalated, resulting in over 50,810 Palestinian fatalities according to local health authorities. As humanitarian conditions deteriorate amidst continued violence, the urgent call for international intervention remains a critical need.
