Over 576,000 people in Gaza are on the brink of famine. The United Nations issued the warning today.

This number represents about a quarter of the population in the area. Humanitarian officials accuse Israel of blocking aid.  

In northern Gaza, Israeli forces fired on Palestinians waiting for food aid on Monday.

The ongoing conflict has so far claimed the lives of at least 29,878 Palestinians. The victims are mostly women and children.

The assault began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,100 deaths and 253 captives.

Growing Humanitarian Crisis

Israel’s military campaign in Gaza includes air attacks and ground offensives. The war has devastated Gaza, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in the region.

Ramesh Rajasingham is the deputy chief of the UN humanitarian agency. He has reported the dire situation to the UN Security Council.

“Here we are, at the end of February, with at least 576,000 people in Gaza – one-quarter of the population – one step away from famine,” he said.

Malnutrition

In northern Gaza, one in six children below two years of age suffers from acute malnutrition.

The entire population in the area is around 2.3 million people. All of them rely on insufficient food aid to survive.

Without immediate action, widespread famine is imminent.  Officials say that more victims will succumb due to the conflict.

Difficult passage for aid

Rajasingham has highlighted the challenges UN and aid groups face when delivering supplies to Gaza.

Israel has closed roads and restricted movement.  There are prolonged vetting procedures, general unrest, and damaged infrastructure.

Geneva’s Hands Are Tied

Jens Laerke speaks for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Geneva. 

He says that Israel has deliberately made it impossible to deliver aid to Gaza.

“Aid convoys have come under fire and are systematically denied access to people in need,” he says.

Hopes for Ceasefire

The World Food Programme (WFP) says it will quickly expand aid operations if a ceasefire agreement is reached.

US President Joe Biden is hopeful about a ceasefire next week. "We're close," President Biden said on Monday. "We're not done yet. My hope is that by next Monday, we'll have a ceasefire."

However, the BBC reports that neither Israel nor Hamas are close to announcing a ceasefire deal.  

Growing Risk of Famine

Carl Skau works with the World Food Program. He has warned of imminent famine in northern Gaza unless conditions change.

A few weeks ago, the WFP suspended food aid delivery to northern Gaza. Their envoys had been robbed and shot at.

Israel has consistently denied the UN’s request to enter and deliver food to Gaza. The last time aid entered Gaza was January 23.

UN agencies report that hundreds of trucks carrying aid are standing ready at the Gaza-Egypt border.

The WFP has food supplies ready to “feed up to 2.2 million people,” but Israel is blocking aid.

Israel Has Denied the Accusations

Israel continues to deny the accusations. Jonathan Miller is Israel's Deputy Ambassador to the UN.

Miller says that Israel is not holding up the trucks. He has blamed the UN for ineffective aid distribution.

He says that since the start of the year, only 16% of aid delivery requests have been denied due to potential risks involving Hamas.

The US has criticized Israel for blocking aid.  Robert Wood is the deputy US ambassador to the UN. He has asked Israel to open border crossings for easy aid delivery.

“Simply put, Israel must do more,” he said.