On Monday, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, urged Israeli authorities to ensure complete and unrestricted access for humanitarian aid throughout Gaza and for the international community to fully support UN humanitarian efforts.
Guterres made his remarks after a recent analysis of food insecurity in Gaza warned that famine is imminent in the northern part of the region.
The analysis, conducted in December 2023, revealed that if immediate cessation of hostilities and sustained access for essential supplies and services to the population did not take place, famine might occur by the end of May 2024. Since then, the conditions necessary to prevent famine have not been met, and the latest evidence confirms that famine is imminent in the northern governorates and is projected to occur between mid-March and May 2024.
The report is a shocking indictment of the conditions on the ground for civilians. Palestinians in Gaza are enduring horrifying levels of hunger and suffering. According to Guterres, this is the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded by the IPC system, anywhere, anytime.
"This is an entirely man-made disaster, and the report makes it clear that it can be halted. Today's report is Exhibit A for the need for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," said Guterres.
"We must act now to prevent the unthinkable, the unacceptable, and the unjustifiable," he affirmed.
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