UNRWA chief: Gaza closer to ‘acute hunger crisis’

GAZA, March 24 (YPA) -Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA), has warned that Israel’s ban on the entry of supplies into Gaza is pushing the enclave closer to an acute hunger crisis

“It’s been three weeks since the Israeli authorities banned the entry of supplies to Gaza,” Lazzarini said in a post on “X” on Sunday.

“No food, no medicines, no water, no fuel. A tight siege longer than what was in place in the first phase of the war.”

“Israel” has banned the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza since March 4, following the expiry of the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement.

Lazzarini warned that Gaza’s population depends on imports via Israel for their survival.

“Every day that passes without the entry of aid means more children go to bed hungry, diseases spread & deprivation deepens,” he said.

“Every day without food inches Gaza closer to an acute hunger crisis,” the UNRWA chief said.

“Banning aid is a collective punishment on Gaza: the vast majority of its population are children, women & ordinary men.”

Lazzarini called for lifting the Israeli siege, the release of all hostages, and access to humanitarian aid and commercial supplies “uninterrupted and at scale.”

@E.Y.M