Synopsis
The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy has urgently called on the UN and global community to pressure Israel into halting its use of starvation and deprivation as warfare strategies against Gaza. This comes amidst a severe humanitarian crisis and a 13-day blockade of aid deliveries, affecting the basic needs of the population.Key Takeaways
- Palestinian Ministry appeals for international pressure on Israel.
- Israel is blocking essential supplies to Gaza, including food and water.
- UN reports 63,000 metric tonnes of food awaiting delivery.
- WFP unable to transport food due to closed border crossings.
- Humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating rapidly.
Gaza, March 16 (NationPress) The Palestinian Ministry of National Economy made a pressing appeal to the United Nations and the global community, urging them to exert pressure on the Israeli government to immediately cease using starvation and deprivation as tactics of warfare against the Gaza Strip.
"We remind the world that Israel is preventing the entry of essential health and humanitarian supplies, particularly water, electricity, and food, for the population in the Gaza Strip," the statement declared.
It further stated, "This situation arises during a time of extraordinary conditions that necessitate the international community, through its various entities, to uphold international laws that guarantee citizens' access to their basic needs and rights, particularly in wartime."
In a statement issued on Friday, the media office of the Hamas-led Gaza government highlighted the worsening humanitarian crisis and the potential return of famine due to Israel's ongoing closure of the crossings into the Strip for the 13th successive day, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Since March 2, following the end of the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement, Israel has obstructed aid deliveries, including food, from reaching Gaza.
Earlier on Friday, UN humanitarian officials reported that 63,000 metric tonnes of food are waiting for the end of the Gaza aid blockade, sufficient to support 1.1 million people for two to three months.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted that the 12-day aid blockade hampers relief efforts.
"This indicates that the World Food Programme (WFP) has been unable to deliver any food supplies into Gaza due to the closure of all border crossing points for both humanitarian and commercial goods," OCHA stated. "WFP currently has approximately 63,000 metric tonnes of food designated for Gaza, either stored or in transit within the region."
WFP confirmed it has enough supplies to support active bakeries and community kitchens for up to one month and can also provide ready-to-eat food parcels for over 500,000 individuals for two weeks. However, prior to the ceasefire, WFP had reduced the number of ready-to-eat food parcels to enable families to extend their resources and assist more people.
