DayofPal- In a bleak assessment of the devastating effects of Israel’s ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip, the Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, warned that “Gaza faces a real risk of famine.”
During a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday, UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini warned that “There is a real risk today that we enter a situation where famine or acute malnutrition is unfortunately again a likelihood, pointing to the upcoming winter and the weakened immune systems of Gaza’s population.”
After a year of relentless bombing on the densely populated Gaza Strip, the full extent of the destruction caused by Israel’s violent offensive is only now beginning to emerge.
“The Strip has become a kind of wasteland, which I would say is almost unlivable,” Lazzarini said.
Speaking about aid delivery to Gaza, Lazzarini noted, “over the past two to three weeks, there was no convoy entering into the north except yesterday (Tuesday).” He added, “We have a huge drop of convoys in the south with only an average of 50 to 60 for two million people, while we estimate the number needed is much, much higher.”
According to Lazzarini, the convoys that managed to enter were looted “because of the total breakdown of law and order.” However, he emphasized that a hunger crisis in Gaza can be avoided if convoys and food are allowed to enter.”
He questioned, “We have shown that we can have a polio campaign, so why can we not bring food?”
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