UN warns Gaza Famine Window ‘Closing Fast’

Displaced persons’ tents crowded along the coastal strip of Gaza City in the northern part of the Gaza Strip – UN News

The narrow window to prevent the spread of famine from northern Gaza to other parts of the Strip is closing fast, the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator said on Sunday.

Tom Fletcher made the statement amid what he described as “a massive military offensive” by Israeli forces against Palestinians in Gaza City, and the failure of ceasefire negotiations with Hamas militants.

By the end of September, famine will likely have spread into Deir al Balah and Khan Younis, he said, unless there is a huge influx of humanitarian aid: “Death, destruction, starvation and displacement of Palestinian civilians are the result of choices that defy international law and ignore the international community.”

The horror can be stopped, he continued, if aid is allowed in at scale.

Mr Fletcher called again for an immediate ceasefire, the protection of civilians, the release of all hostages held inside Gaza by Hamas and other militants, and the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians.

He also insisted on the implementation of the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) provisional measures, which call for prevention of genocidal acts and the immediate and effective delivery of urgent basic services to Gaza’s civilian population.

No money, nowhere to go

Ahead of a second airstrike on a Gaza City high-rise apartment block on Saturday in as many days, which Israeli forces claimed was being used by Hamas – a claim the militant group denied – Israel reportedly dropped leaflets warning residents to relocate to the south.

UN News’s correspondent spoke to families trying to survive in the city amid Israel’s ongoing offensive, who are facing an impossible choice over staying or fleeing.

Abu Amer al-Sharif said, “We are at a loss," sitting in front of what remains of his house in the city that used to be home to over one million people.

They had salvaged some belongings – but moving again seemed a daunting task.

"You know the financial burden, including transportation costs and rent for new housing. There are no salaries from the authorities and people have no income. Families are required to pay thousands of dollars for the places they move to, in addition to transportation costs. On top of that, our property is damaged," Abu Amer said.

‘I live on the rubble’

In the same neighbourhood, Hossam Madi stood amid the rubble of his home, breaking up furniture to sell as firewood.

"We don't have enough money to move to the southern Gaza Strip," he said bluntly.