The entire population of Gaza is experiencing "serious levels of acute food insecurity," US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, stressing the urgent need to increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian territory.
"100% of the population in Gaza is in severe levels of acute food insecurity for the first time," Blinken told a news conference in the Philippines, where he is on an official visit, AFP reported.
Blinken's remarks came on the eve of his return to the Middle East, this time to Saudi Arabia and Egypt to discuss efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and increase aid deliveries.
According to the UN, half of Gaza's residents are experiencing "catastrophic" famine, with famine expected to hit the north of the territory by May unless there is an emergency intervention.
Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian chief, called on Israel to allow unlimited aid into the besieged Palestinian territory, saying there was "no time to lose".
Gaza's bloodiest war erupted after Hamas launched an unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7. Israel responded with a relentless bombardment and ground offensive into Hamas-ruled Palestinian territory.
As humanitarian agencies report immense difficulties in gaining access to Gaza, especially in the north, the UN has been warning for weeks that a famine is looming.
The Integrated Food Security Classification (IFSC) Partnership pointed out that although the technical criteria for famine have not yet been met, "all evidence points to a significant acceleration in deaths and malnutrition." /BGNES
