A dire prediction looms over the north of the Gaza Strip as a U.N.-backed report warns of an impending famine between now and May, following months of devastating conflict that have ravaged the Palestinian territory, claiming thousands of lives and severing crucial supply lines.
According to the report released by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) on Monday, the number of individuals facing “catastrophic hunger” across the besieged enclave has surged to 1.1 million, representing approximately half of its population.
The report states, “Famine is now projected and imminent in the North Gaza and Gaza Governorates and is expected to become manifest during the projection period from mid-March 2024 to May 2024.”
This assessment, endorsed by various U.N. agencies, regional bodies, and aid organizations, coincides with mounting international pressure on Israel to permit more humanitarian assistance into Gaza, home to 2.3 million people.
On Monday, the European Union accused Israel of exacerbating the crisis and employing starvation as a tactic of war, allegations vehemently denied by Israel, which asserts that its operations target militant groups like Hamas and not civilians.
The current figure of individuals at risk of catastrophic hunger in Gaza nearly doubles the count reported in December, signaling a deepening humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the ongoing conflict.
The IPC’s analysis paints a bleak picture, projecting that unless there is a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas and an expansion of aid access, famine will become an inescapable reality.
“From mid-March to mid-July, in the most likely scenario and under the assumption of an escalation of the conflict including a ground offensive in Rafah (city), half of the population of the Gaza Strip (1.11 million people) is expected to face catastrophic conditions,” the IPC cautioned.
While Israel has articulated plans for an offensive in Rafah, situated along the southern border with Egypt, it remains engaged in mediation efforts aimed at securing a potential ceasefire.
The report emphasizes that famine remains preventable if decisive actions are taken, urging an immediate ceasefire coupled with a substantial increase in humanitarian and commercial access to Gaza’s population.
“All efforts must be made to ensure the provision of food, water, medicines, and protection of civilians, as well as to restore and provide health, water, and sanitation services, and energy,” the report stressed.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
