UN declares Gaza the “hungriest place on Earth” as Israel continues to block aid

The United Nations has declared Gaza the “hungriest place on Earth,” warning that the entire population of the besieged Palestinian territory is now at imminent risk of famine. The warning comes as Israel continues to enforce a blockade, severely restricting the flow of humanitarian aid while intensifying its military assault.

Nearly 20 months into the war, there has been no significant progress toward ending Israel’s genocide. The military offensive resumed in March after Israel violated a six-week ceasefire agreement, further worsening conditions on the ground.

Spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Jens Laerke described the aid entering Gaza as "a trickle," saying, “It’s drip-feeding food to a starving population.”

He stressed that while humanitarian aid is ready and available, Israeli restrictions have made the delivery process extraordinarily difficult, decalring it a uniquely challenging operation in modern history.

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Following the partial easing of the blockade earlier this month, Israel reportedly allowed around 900 aid trucks into Gaza. However, only 600 were able to offload their cargo, and even fewer distributions have taken place due to logistical and security hurdles.

Israel had imposed a complete aid blockade on Gaza on March 2, leading to extreme shortages of food, medicine, and essential supplies. Although some restrictions have recently been lifted, the humanitarian crisis remains dire.

Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, confirmed that Gaza has entered a state of famine. He stated that 100% of the 2.5 million people in Gaza are experiencing “catastrophic hunger.

”According to OCHA, at least one in five Gazans is now facing starvation, and more than four children per 10,000 are dying every day from starvation or hunger-related illness.

Meanwhile, a new aid organisation, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, formed in early May with backing from Israel and the US, has started distributing supplies in parts of Gaza.

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However, Laerke criticised the initiative, saying it lacks efficiency and structure. 

Thousands of Palestinians gathered at a US-operated aid center on Tuesday, after Israel introduced a new aid distribution system that bypasses the United Nations.

As Palestinians gathered to collect the aid, the Israeli army opened fire and killed 20 innocent civilians.