Intense hunger in Gaza as World Food Programme issues alarm over escalating famine due to Israeli assaults

In a recent tour of Gaza, Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), returned deeply shaken by the devastation she witnessed. The region is grappling with a worsening humanitarian crisis, with starvation sweeping across the region, according to the WFP.

The conflict in Gaza has taken a heavy toll, with nearly 63,000 people having died since the war began. Over 70 were killed in Israeli strikes in the past day alone, and more than half of the dead were women and children. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared famine has taken hold in Gaza City, affecting roughly 514,000 people.

A cease-fire proposal for a duration of 60 days has been put forward by Egypt and Qatar, which Hamas has accepted. However, Israel has yet to respond. The proposed cease-fire includes the release of 10 living hostages, the handover of 18 bodies, and a partial Israeli withdrawal to a buffer zone.

The WFP is negotiating with Israel to secure humanitarian access for Gaza. During a previous two-month cease-fire, about 600 WFP trucks entered Gaza daily, compared to the current 100. McCain pressed for safe corridors, unfettered convoy movement, and guarantees against delays during her meeting with Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, chief of staff of the Israeli military.

Aid delivery remains insufficient in Gaza. Despite more than 300 trucks entering Gaza each day, most carrying food, decades of conflict, the blockade earlier this year, and the near-collapse of Gaza's food production have left aid far short of need. Nearly a quarter of Gaza's population faces famine.

McCain met families, including a family of 11, who were literally not having enough food at all. She emphasized that although more aid is reaching Gaza, it is not nearly enough to prevent widespread starvation. The devastation McCain witnessed included flattened neighborhoods, clinics struggling to support children and pregnant women, and families trapped in extreme hunger.

The WFP hopes to gain greater access following McCain's meeting with Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. Without a cease-fire and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid, the famine could spread to central and southern districts by the end of September. Israel's COGAT agency reports that Israeli airstrikes hit Sanaa, Yemen's capital, in retaliation for attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

As the crisis in Gaza continues, the urgent need for a cease-fire and increased humanitarian aid is more pressing than ever. The military said it remains committed to preventing famine and enabling humanitarian aid to reach Gazans. McCain's tour and advocacy efforts serve as a call to action for the international community to address this dire situation and prevent further suffering in Gaza.

Intense hunger in Gaza as World Food Programme issues alarm over escalating famine due to Israeli assaults