Gaza warns of famine disaster due to food aid cuts

The government media office in the Gaza Strip has warned of catastrophic repercussions from the World Food Programme's reduction of food assistance to nearly half a million Palestinians due to funding shortages. The office stated that this step threatens to accelerate the pace of famine and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the Strip, according to a statement published on Monday.

Warnings of accelerating famine

The office said it followed with grave concern and anxiety the announcement by the World Food Programme of its forced halt of food aid to half a million people in the Gaza Strip. It added that this foreshadows devastating repercussions on the humanitarian situation and amounts to giving the green light to accelerate the pace of famine and deepen the unprecedented humanitarian disaster.

Most vulnerable groups

The office clarified that the repercussions of halting aid particularly threaten the most vulnerable groups, foremost among them children, women, the sick, and the elderly. It pointed out that they face the risk of dying of hunger and thirst amid the ongoing genocide committed by Israel for three years.

Holding Israel responsible

The government media office placed full and historical responsibility on Israel for the repercussions of halting aid, and for the crime of starvation and the imposed siege. It accused Israel of using food as a means of collective punishment against innocent Palestinian civilians.

International and Arab demands

The office called on the international community and the United Nations to play their true role in pressuring the Israeli occupation to open all crossings and ensure the flow of humanitarian aid without restrictions or conditions. It also called for the establishment of land and sea bridges and the provision of urgent financial support for relief programs, enabling the entry of thousands of trucks loaded with food, relief, and medical supplies.

It stressed that it is unacceptable for the world to fail to provide meager sums to save lives, while billions are spent arming the occupation and supporting its killing machine. It warned that a lack of urgent action foreshadows a certain famine and a wide-scale humanitarian disaster.

Source: Anadolu Agency