UNICEF said “a real child survival crisis” exists in Gaza as famine was officially declared, warning that it is “already too late” for many children. Four children were among the victims in a series of Israeli strikes on Gaza in the early hours of this morning, following at least 71 people killed by Israel’s bombardment of the Palestinian enclave on Friday.
Two more people starved to death in Gaza over the past 24 hours, Gaza’s Health Ministry said, bringing the death toll from starvation and malnutrition to 273, including 112 children. Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym MSF) said people in Gaza City are experiencing “starvation, disease and death” amid Israel’s ferocious military offensive to occupy the Palestinian city.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed at least 62,263 people and wounded 157,365, while 1,139 people were killed in Israel during the attacks on October 7, 2023, and more than 200 were taken captive.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the results of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis were no mystery: “It is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment – and a failure of humanity itself.
“Famine is not about food; it is the deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival.”
Famine conditions are projected to spread from Gaza Governorate to Deir Al Balah and Khan Younis Governorates in the coming weeks, the IPC estimates.
Israel’s obligations
“As the occupying power, Israel has unequivocal obligations under international law – including the duty of ensuring food and medical supplies of the population,” said the UN chief, reacting to the famine declaration from the IPC, which is endorsed by dozens of governments, UN agencies and NGOs as the key evidence-based measure of food insecurity and malnutrition.
Mr. Guterres said Israel’s denial of its duties could not be allowed to continue: “No more excuses. The time for action is not tomorrow – it is now.”
Silence the guns, release the hostages
UN agencies operating in Gaza joined the UN chief in calling for an immediate ceasefire to finally allow unimpeded, large-scale humanitarian response and the immediate release of all hostages taken by Hamas and other militants during the 7 October 2023 terror attacks.
Agencies also expressed grave concern over the threat of the intensified military offensive on Gaza City and any further escalation in the conflict, as it would have further devastating consequences for civilians where famine conditions already exist.