Gaza city: The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has issued a dire warning regarding the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, stating that at least 1 million women and girls are facing mass starvation as a result of Israel's prolonged blockade and the devastating war on the enclave.

According to Anadolu Agency, UNRWA highlighted the severe challenges faced by women and girls in Gaza, noting that they are enduring mass starvation, violence, and abuse. The agency emphasized that many are resorting to dangerous survival strategies, such as venturing out in search of food and water, which puts them at extreme risk of being killed.

The situation in Gaza has been described as one of the worst humanitarian crises in its history, with famine exacerbating the ongoing conflict. Since March 2, Israel has maintained a closure of all crossings into the territory, effectively blocking humanitarian aid and pushing the enclave towards famine, despite thousands of trucks waiting at the border. The limited supplies allowed in have been insufficient to meet the needs of Gaza's starving population.

Earlier this month, the UN World Food Program also reported a critical shortage of food, indicating that one-third of Gaza's 2.4 million residents had gone without food for several days. The ongoing military campaign by Israel has resulted in the deaths of nearly 61,900 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023, further devastating the enclave and exacerbating the humanitarian disaster.

In addition, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its actions in the enclave.