Gaza: An Israeli ban on the entry of supplies to the Gaza Strip is pushing the enclave closer to an acute hunger crisis, the head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) warned on Sunday. 'It's been three weeks since the Israeli authorities banned the entry of supplies to Gaza,' Philippe Lazzarini said in a statement.
According to Anadolu Agency, Israel has banned the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 4, following the expiry of the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement with Hamas. Lazzarini emphasized that Gaza's population depends heavily on imports via Israel for their survival. 'Every day that passes without the entry of aid means more children go to bed hungry, diseases spread and deprivation deepens,' he said.
Lazzarini further emphasized the dire consequences of the ongoing blockade. 'Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis,' the UNRWA chief stated. He described the banning of aid as collective punishment on the people of Gaza, most of whom are children, women, and ordinary men. He called for lifting the Israeli siege, the release of all hostages, and ensuring access to humanitarian aid and commercial supplies 'uninterrupted and at scale.'
The situation has been exacerbated by a surprise aerial campaign launched by the Israeli army on Gaza since Tuesday, which has resulted in the deaths of more than 700 Palestinians and injured over 1,200 others. This campaign shattered a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement that had been in place since January. Since October 2023, more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and over 113,000 have been injured due to the ongoing Israeli military onslaught on Gaza.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.