UNRWA chief says ‘man-made’ famine in Gaza can be averted if aid let in

By Rania Abu Shamala

ISTANBUL (AA) – A severe famine in the Gaza Strip can be averted if aid is allowed in, the commissioner-general of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) said Sunday.

“The last time UNRWA was able to deliver food aid to northern Gaza was on 23 January,” Philippe Lazzarini said on X.

“Since then, together with other UN agencies, we have warned against a looming famine, appealed for regular humanitarian access, and stated that famine can be averted if more food convoys are allowed into northern Gaza on a regular basis,” he added.

“Our calls to send food aid have been denied and have fallen on deaf ears.

“This is a man-made disaster. The world committed to never let famine happen again. Famine can still be avoided through genuine political will to grant access and protection to meaningful assistance,” he said.

Lazzarini added that “the days to come will once again test our common humanity and values.”

Israel has launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip since an Oct. 7 cross-border incursion by the Palestinian group Hamas, killing more than 29,690 people and causing mass destruction and shortages of necessities, while nearly 1,200 Israelis are believed to have been killed.

The Israeli war on Gaza has pushed 85% of the territory's population into internal displacement amid acute shortages of food, clean water and medicine, while 60% of the enclave's infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed, according to the UN.

Israel stands accused of genocide at the International Court of Justice. An interim ruling in January ordered Tel Aviv to stop genocidal acts and take measures to guarantee that humanitarian assistance is provided to civilians in Gaza.