Security Council warns of “imminent famine” in Gaza

Hibapress
The UN Security Council warned Thursday of the “threat of famine” looming over the Gaza Strip, already grappling with a “catastrophic” humanitarian situation.
In a press statement, the UN executive body reiterated its request to authorize, facilitate and enable the immediate, safe and unhindered delivery of large-scale humanitarian assistance directly to the civilian population. throughout the Palestinian enclave.
Calling for full respect for international law, including international humanitarian law, the Council renewed its call for a ceasefire and the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
The UN body also called for full respect for the protected status of humanitarian workers, installations and operations under international law, and to comply with humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanisms.
During a hearing before Congress on Wednesday, the director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Samantha Power, warned of the risk of famine in northern Gaza, where more than two million Palestinians would soon face extreme hunger, according to UN agencies.
Ms. Power said a famine appeared to have begun according to an assessment by the Global Integrated Food Security Classification (IPC) Initiative, a collective of United Nations and relief agencies, which she called the solid methodology.