Gaza: The Gaza government has issued a grave warning that over 65,000 children are currently facing the threat of starvation as a result of Israel's prolonged siege and blockade of essential supplies to the Gaza Strip. This blockade, which has lasted for two months, is part of what the Gaza authorities describe as a genocidal campaign against the Palestinian enclave.
According to Anadolu Agency, the Gaza Media Office released a statement underscoring the dire situation, accusing the Israeli occupation of deliberately engineering a famine to harm civilians. This is said to be part of a systematic crime affecting 2.4 million people through the closure of crossings and the obstruction of 39,000 aid trucks carrying vital food, fuel, and medicine. The statement highlights this as a blatant violation of international law.
The blockade has rendered all bakeries non-operational for 40 days, effectively cutting off the civilian population's access to bread, a staple food. The statement emphasizes that over 65,000 children are now at risk of dying from malnutrition as Israel allegedly uses hunger as a weapon against the civilian population.
The statement also points out that the 70-day total closure of crossings has further deteriorated the humanitarian and health systems within Gaza. The Gaza government is calling for urgent intervention from the international community and the United Nations to halt the blockade and facilitate the passage of aid and essential goods into the region.
This warning comes amid sharp criticism from UN officials regarding Israel's recently proposed humanitarian aid plan for Gaza. The UN has cautioned that the plan could worsen civilian suffering and fail to meet basic humanitarian standards.
The situation in Gaza has been exacerbated by Israel's continued closure of crossings to food, medical, and humanitarian aid since March 2, contributing to an already severe humanitarian crisis. Reports from government, human rights, and international organizations indicate that nearly 52,800 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli offensive began in October 2023, with the majority of the casualties being women and children.
Furthermore, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice related to its actions in the enclave.