The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip announced six deaths in the past 24 hours due to famine and malnutrition, including one child, bringing the total number of malnutrition victims to 382, including 135 children.
The Ministry explained that the period following the announcement of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) saw 104 additional deaths, including 20 children, reflecting the severity of the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Strip due to the ongoing blockade and shortages of food and medicine.
For his part, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini confirmed that famine is a reality in Gaza and that hunger is afflicting the population of the Strip, explaining that the agency’s experts were the ones who arrived at this reality.
He added that aid is entering Gaza, but it is not sufficient.
He added that Egypt has become a humanitarian hub, but restrictions prevent aid from reaching the Strip. He emphasized that the agency had been active in communicating with the Palestinian people, but the situation has changed, and they now have to walk long distances under the sun to reach food.
He explained that the agency has the resources and personnel, but is unable to carry out its duties due to the political situation.
He added, “We need a political decision to end the famine. We cannot reach the Palestinian people in Gaza, so we need a ceasefire and a decision that allows our staff to carry out their work properly.”
