The UN's humanitarian efforts to deliver aid to Gaza faced a setback once more on Friday due to fuel shortages and a communication blackout. This pause compounds the plight of homeless and hungry Palestinians.
The World Food Programme (WFP) warned of an imminent risk of starvation for the population due to the scarcity of food supplies.
Reportedly, an alleged Israeli strike near the Rafah border crossing, a critical area for aid transit between Gaza and Egypt, resulted in casualties among Palestinians, as per Palestinian news agency WAFA.
WFP's Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the dire situation, highlighting the acute need for food assistance in almost the entire Gaza population.
She noted the severe scarcity of food and water, with only a fraction of the required aid reaching Gaza through the borders. McCain raised concerns about the approaching winter, unsafe living conditions in overcrowded shelters, lack of clean water, and the immediate risk of starvation faced by civilians in Gaza.
Food systems are collapsing in #Gaza.
— Cindy McCain (@WFPChief) November 16, 2023
As civilians face the very real and immediate threat of starvation, only a fraction of the food they need has made it in.
This is preventable. @WFP has the tools & know-how to stop it.
But we can’t do it without supplies, staff and access.
