UNRWA, WFP Warn of Unprecedented Famine, Humanitarian Catastrophe in Gaza

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warning of an imminent famine and a worsening humanitarian disaster.

UNRWA: "The Longest Period Without Aid Since the Start of the War" 

UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed that humanitarian aid has not entered Gaza for over three weeks, marking the longest period the population has endured without supplies since the beginning of the Israeli assault.

"The hunger crisis in Gaza is escalating rapidly, and the threat of disease looms large as Israeli bombardment continues and border crossings remain closed," Lazzarini said in a statement on Thursday. "Parents cannot find food for their children, the sick are without medicine, and prices are skyrocketing beyond reach."

The situation has worsened due to continued Israeli attacks, with Lazzarini revealing that eight UNRWA staff members were killed in the past week. Additionally, he described the recent days as "the bloodiest in the past 18 months," with over 500 people, including women and children, killed in just a few days.

He also noted that more than 140,000 people have been forcibly displaced due to Israeli evacuation orders, adding to the suffering of an already devastated population.

Lazzarini called for an immediate end to the siege on Gaza, the reopening of border crossings to allow the flow of humanitarian and commercial supplies, and a ceasefire to prevent further civilian suffering.

Also, the WFP issued a separate statement warning that thousands of Palestinians are at risk of severe hunger and malnutrition due to food shortages and border closures.

Since Israel sealed the border crossings on March 2, no new food supplies have entered Gaza, causing an alarming depletion of stocks. The WFP reported that the remaining food reserves in Gaza could last only two more weeks, while 85,000 tons of essential supplies remain stuck outside the enclave, awaiting entry.

"The program requires 30,000 tons of food per month to meet the needs of 1.1 million people in Gaza," the statement said.

At the same time, the cost of basic necessities has surged dramatically. The price of a 25kg sack of wheat flour has skyrocketed to $50—a 400% increase since March 18—while cooking gas prices have tripled compared to February.

Israeli Court Ruling Exacerbates Crisis:

In a move that has intensified the humanitarian crisis, Israel’s Supreme Court recently rejected appeals demanding the immediate entry of aid into Gaza. Rights groups have condemned this decision, warning that it effectively provides legal cover for Israel’s policy of starvation, which some experts and organizations describe as a form of genocide against the Palestinian people.

Urgent Call for Action:

In its closing remarks, the WFP urged all parties to prioritize the needs of civilians, protect humanitarian workers, and allow aid deliveries immediately to prevent further loss of life.

The agency also highlighted the urgent need for $265 million over the next six months to sustain relief efforts for 1.5 million people in Gaza and the West Bank.

With Gaza on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe, the world is facing growing pressure to intervene and prevent a full-scale famine.