The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a stark warning regarding the dire situation unfolding in the Gaza Strip, with people facing the looming threat of starvation due to restrictions imposed by Israel on the delivery of humanitarian aid. Michael Ryan, the WHO's emergencies director, emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating that the risk of famine was not only high but escalating.

Ryan highlighted the alarming reality of Gaza's population on the brink of starvation, describing the ongoing challenges in delivering essential aid, with efforts continually disrupted and humanitarian intervention constrained in every aspect. The suspension of aid by major Western donors to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has exacerbated the situation, with the UN condemning it as a form of collective punishment affecting millions in Gaza.

According to a rights group, an alarming 71% of Gazans are experiencing extreme hunger, a consequence of Israel's devastating actions in the region. Access to adequate nutrition has become a critical issue, with the quality and quantity of food intake drastically reduced. Ryan emphasized that relying indefinitely on food aid is unsustainable and can lead to further health crises, including epidemics, especially given the overcrowded and inadequate shelter conditions in Gaza.

The WHO's head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, warned of catastrophic consequences if funds to the UN Palestinian refugee agency are cut, stressing that no other entity has the capacity to provide the necessary assistance to Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants. Ghebreyesus urged a reconsideration of the aid suspension announcements, emphasizing the continued extreme challenges faced by the WHO in supporting Gaza's strained health system, which has seen a dramatic reduction in operational facilities amid the ongoing crisis. With over 100,000 Gazans either dead, injured, or missing, the situation demands urgent international attention and action.