GAZA – The Gaza government on Friday warned that more than 65,000 children are at immediate risk of starvation due to Israel’s ongoing blockade of the besieged enclave.
In a statement, the Gaza Media Office said Israel is deliberately engineering famine. It accused Israel of blocking 39,000 aid trucks carrying food, fuel, and medicine over the past two months.
“The Israeli occupation is using hunger as a weapon,” the statement said. “This is part of a systematic crime against 2.4 million civilians.”
Bakeries Shut, Food Supply Gone
All bakeries in Gaza have been non-operational for over 40 days, the media office said. As a result, bread and other basic food items are unavailable to the population.
“More than 65,000 children now face death by starvation,” it warned.
Officials stressed that the complete closure of border crossings for 70 days has accelerated the collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian and health infrastructure.
UN, International Community Urged to Act
The Gaza government called on the United Nations and global powers to act urgently. It urged the international community to end the siege, reopen crossings, and allow unrestricted delivery of humanitarian aid.
“This blockade is a clear and ongoing violation of international law,” the statement emphasized.
UN Criticizes Israel’s Aid Plan
On Friday, UN officials sharply criticized Israel’s newly proposed aid plan for Gaza. They warned that it fails to meet minimum humanitarian standards and may worsen civilian suffering.
Since March 2, Israel has completely closed Gaza’s crossings to food, medicine, and other essentials, according to the UN and human rights groups.
Read: Tarar Urges India to Step Back and De-escalate Tensions
Mounting Death Toll
The situation in Gaza remains catastrophic. Since Israel began its offensive in October 2023, over 52,800 Palestinians have been killed. Most of the victims are women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.
“This is not just a humanitarian crisis,” a local aid worker said. “It’s a deliberate and calculated attack on life.”
War Crimes and Genocide Allegations
In November 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. They face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its actions in the enclave.
Gaza Pleads for Global Help
As food runs out and hospitals shut down, Gaza’s plea is clear.
“End the blockade. Open the crossings. Let the aid in,” the statement urged.
Children, the elderly, and the sick are now paying the price of political decisions, said local humanitarian groups.
Without urgent international intervention, Gaza’s suffering could escalate into an unprecedented famine, affecting millions of lives.
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