The UN Coordinator for Emergency Assistance, Tom Fletcher, has issued an alarming warning about the increasing risk of famine in northern Gaza, stressing that there is less and less time to prevent a more severe humanitarian crisis. During a statement last Sunday, Fletcher criticized Israel’s intense military offensive against the Palestinians, pointing out the failure of negotiations for a ceasefire with Hamas.
Fletcher indicated that if a constant and large-scale flow of humanitarian aid is not restored, famine could reach regions like Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis before the end of September. In his remarks, he emphasized that “death, destruction, hunger, and the displacement of Palestinian civilians are the result of decisions that transgress international law.”
The humanitarian coordinator made an urgent call to the international community to act immediately, demanding a ceasefire, the protection of civilians, and the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners. He also highlighted the importance of implementing the provisional measures of the International Court of Justice, which aim to prevent genocidal acts and ensure basic services for the civilian population of Gaza.
The situation in Gaza City has become critical, with the Israeli army carrying out a second airstrike against a skyscraper reportedly belonging to Hamas. Many residents find themselves trapped between the difficult decision of fleeing or staying in their homes.
Abu Amer al-Sharif, a local resident, expressed his desperation: “We are lost.” This resident highlighted the economic difficulties facing many families, who struggle to survive in an environment where there is no income. “The financial burden is overwhelming,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Hossam Madi, another person affected by the crisis, is collecting rubble to sell as firewood, lamenting the lack of financial resources to move south. “We don’t have enough money to relocate,” he declared, reflecting the deep state of hopelessness afflicting the population.
In the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, Saqr Abu Sultan also expressed his confusion about the uncertain future. “The situation is chaotic,” he commented while trying to pack his family’s belongings, unsure of their fate amid this humanitarian crisis.
Source: MiMub in Spanish
