The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) warned today of the repercussions of hunger in the Gaza Strip reaching critical levels, calling for an immediate ceasefire.
"Hunger in Gaza is at critical levels, with people scavenging through weeks-old waste for scraps of food," UNRWA said in a statement.
"As winter approaches, conditions are rapidly deteriorating, and survival is impossible without immediate humanitarian aid," UNRWA added.
Deputy Spokesperson for UN Farhan Haq said, "our colleagues in the Office of the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs report that none of the UN's 41 attempts to reach Palestinians in besieged areas of North Gaza with life-saving assistance this month has been facilitated by Israeli authorities."
Haq pointed out that 37 attempts were denied by Israeli authorities, adding that "four missions were approved, but then impeded on the ground and accomplished only partially."
He also said that parts of northern Gaza have been under siege for more than 50 days, while civilians are subjected to intense bombardment and are in dire need of aid.
The Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip have been suffering from a systematic starvation policy imposed by the Israeli occupation through its collective punishment against Palestinians, as it prevents the entry of any humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
