UNRWA head urges Israel to stop denying responsibility for Gaza famine and calls on global powers to act immediately.
The UN-sponsored global hunger monitor, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), stated Friday that famine has been confirmed in the Gaza governorate and predicted that it will spread to the enclave's center and southern regions by the end of September.
“It’s time for the Government of Israel to stop denying the famine it has created in Gaza,”
Philippe Lazzarini said on US social media platform X.
“All of those who have influence must use it with determination and a sense of moral duty. Every hour counts,”
he added.
Since October 2023, Israel has murdered around 62,000 Palestinians in Gaza. The enclave has been destroyed by the military campaign, which has also caused disease outbreaks, forced relocation, and famine fatalities.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant were both wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza last November.
Because of its war on the enclave, Israel is also facing a genocide prosecution at the International Court of Justice.
How might Israel’s denial affect humanitarian access and aid delivery?
Israeli authorities have imposed stringent regulations and bureaucratic hurdles that frequently block or delay the entry of humanitarian aid, including food, medical supplies, fuel, and water purification equipment. Aid convoys are often denied permission, or their movements restricted, severely limiting the volume and speed of assistance that can reach civilians.
Aid delivery has been systematically used as a bargaining chip or weapon of war, with aid access controlled to exert pressure or maintain the blockade. This politicization undermines humanitarian principles and restricts life-saving support.
The ongoing denial and restrictions force humanitarian agencies to operate in highly constrained conditions, with limited ability to scale up aid efforts, repair damage, or deliver vital winterization supplies.