Famine Crisis Deepens in Gaza

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a dire warning, stating that nearly one-third of Gaza's population is enduring days without food. "Malnutrition is rising rapidly, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of medical care," the agency said in a statement.

The famine crisis in Gaza has intensified this week. On Friday, the Hamas-run Health Ministry reported that nine people died from malnutrition, bringing the total number of such deaths to 122. Israel, which controls all entry points for supplies into Gaza, claims there are no restrictions on aid deliveries and blames Hamas for the malnutrition crisis.

An Israeli security official stated on Friday that permission for airdropping aid could be granted in the coming days. However, aid agencies have previously warned that airdrops are insufficient to address the scale of the crisis. Local media reported that the United Arab Emirates and Jordan may undertake such operations, though a Jordanian official told the BBC that they are still awaiting Israel's approval. The initiative comes amid growing international concern over Gaza's humanitarian situation. On Friday, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom jointly called on Israel to immediately lift all restrictions on aid. In a collective statement, they demanded an immediate end to the conflict and the humanitarian catastrophe, emphasizing that Israel must comply with international legal obligations. "Blocking essential humanitarian aid to civilians is unacceptable," the statement read. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed dismay at the "level of disagreement, indifference, and inaction" within the international community, highlighting a lack of empathy, truth, and humanity. Speaking at Amnesty International’s global assembly, he noted that over 1,000 Palestinians have been killed since May 27 while attempting to access food aid. Since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), backed by the US and Israel, began distributing food as an alternative to UN-led efforts, the situation has worsened. Anthony Aguilar, a US security contractor working with GHF, told the BBC that he witnessed "undeniable war crimes." He reported seeing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and US security personnel using ammunition, mortars, and tank fire on civilians at food distribution centers. "In my entire career, I’ve never seen such brutality. I witnessed indiscriminate and unnecessary use of force against civilians by the IDF and US contractors," said the retired soldier. GHF dismissed these allegations, claiming they came from a disgruntled former contractor fired a month ago for misconduct. Meanwhile, ceasefire and hostage release talks remain uncertain after the US and Israel withdrew their delegations from Qatar-mediated negotiations. US President Donald Trump remarked, "I think Hamas wants to die." A senior Hamas official expressed surprise at the statement but told BBC’s Gaza correspondent that mediators indicated talks have not entirely collapsed, with the Israeli delegation expected to return to Doha next week. The conflict escalated following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. In response, Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in 59,000 deaths, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. Israel imposed a blockade on food aid in early March, resuming attacks after a brief ceasefire. Although the blockade has been partially eased, global experts warn of an impending famine due to severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel. Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced multiple times, with 90% of homes destroyed.

On Thursday, France announced it would recognize Palestine as a state in September. A third of UK MPs have urged their government to follow suit, but Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested such a move would only be part of a broader plan for a two-state solution.