Cindy McCain, the American director of the United Nations World Food Programme, has declared that northern Gaza is now in a state of "full-fledged famine" following over six months of Israeli conflict in the region and stringent restrictions imposed by the Israeli occupation on the delivery of food supplies to Palestinian territories, as reported by the Associated Press.
McCain's statement marks a significant acknowledgment, making her the most prominent international figure to officially announce the dire situation faced by civilians trapped in Gaza's most isolated areas.
During an interview on NBC's "Meet the Press" program scheduled for Sunday, McCain described the situation as "terrifying," emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and increased aid flow through both land and sea routes to address the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where nearly 2.3 million people reside.
Israel, which controls entry points into Gaza, has yet to respond to these claims, although it asserts that it has begun permitting more food and other humanitarian aid through the land crossings.
Earlier this year, a committee serving as an internationally recognized monitor of food crises warned that northern Gaza was on the verge of famine, a prediction that is likely to materialize this month.
While some progress has been reported by American officials and relief organizations, they caution that it remains insufficient. They issue stark warnings of an impending famine among Gaza's population of 2.3 million.
Israel is keen to demonstrate that it does not obstruct aid to Gaza. This sentiment is particularly pronounced after US President Joe Biden issued a stern warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, indicating that Washington's policy could change if Israel fails to address the harm to civilians, humanitarian suffering, and the safety of relief workers.
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