Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as One Million Women Face Starvation in Gaza
UNRWA warns of severe humanitarian crisis as one million women and girls in Gaza face starvation and increasing safety risks, while regional tensions escalate over Israeli policies.
Palestinian women and children queue for humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza amid worsening food crisis
UNRWA Sounds Alarm on Critical Food Security Crisis
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has issued a dire warning about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where one million women and girls are facing severe food insecurity and increasing risks to their safety. The critical role of humanitarian aid management has become increasingly vital as the crisis deepens.
Escalating Humanitarian Emergency
According to UNRWA's latest assessment shared on social media platform X, women and children are being forced to adopt dangerous survival strategies, including risking their lives to search for basic necessities like food and water. Regional humanitarian efforts continue to face significant challenges in addressing these urgent needs.
Health authorities in Gaza have reported 11 additional deaths, including a child, from famine and malnutrition in the past 24 hours. The total number of hunger-related fatalities has now reached 251, with 108 being children. The overall death toll from Israeli military operations since October 2023 has exceeded 61,800, with more than 155,000 wounded.
Aid Delivery Obstacles
A coalition of 108 non-governmental organizations has highlighted severe restrictions on aid delivery since March 2. Diplomatic efforts to secure humanitarian access continue as most major international NGOs report being unable to deliver essential supplies due to Israeli restrictions.
Regional Response to Israeli Statements
In a related development, thirty-one Arab and Islamic countries, along with major regional organizations, have issued a joint statement condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's recent remarks about "Greater Israel." The statement emphasizes the violation of international law and UN Security Council resolutions, while calling for an immediate ceasefire and unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza.
The situation continues to deteriorate as settlement expansion plans in the occupied West Bank add to regional tensions, with Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich approving the construction of 3,401 new housing units in contested areas.
Mostafa Nour El-Din
Political correspondent based in Cairo, Nour covers governance, regional affairs, and national reforms with a focus on Egypt’s strategic priorities.