The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has accused Israeli authorities of using starvation as a weapon against civilians in Gaza. On Sunday, the agency released a statement on X, highlighting the dire situation. “The Israeli authorities are starving civilians in Gaza. Among them are 1 million children,” the statement read.
Urgent Call for Action
UNRWA reiterated its urgent plea for an end to the ongoing Israeli siege. The agency emphasized, “Lift the siege: allow UNRWA to bring in food and medicines.” Despite international legal obligations to protect civilians and facilitate humanitarian aid, Israel has maintained a total siege on Gaza since March 2.
Convoys have faced bombings, border crossings remain blocked, and aid distribution points have been targeted. Rights groups widely condemn these actions as collective punishment and potential war crimes. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, dozens of children have died from starvation and dehydration. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands more are at risk due to the collapse of healthcare and widespread food insecurity.
Recent Casualties and Ongoing Violence
On Saturday alone, Israeli strikes reportedly killed at least 136 Palestinians. This number includes 38 individuals waiting for aid and three children who succumbed to severe malnutrition, according to Palestinian officials. Israel’s offensive on Gaza, which began in October 2023, has resulted in nearly 59,000 Palestinian deaths—most of whom are women and children, according to local health authorities.
The relentless bombing has devastated the enclave, crippling medical services and creating conditions described by aid agencies as famine-like. The international community must respond urgently to alleviate the suffering of Gaza’s civilians and ensure the delivery of essential aid.
