Israel has blocked food and aid from entering the Palestinian enclave since 2 March and resumed its brutal military assault on 18 March [Getty]
The heads of six UN agencies called on Monday for an urgent renewal of the ceasefire in Gaza, warning of aid shortages and hunger since Israel resumed its all-out assault with the deadliest week for Gaza’s children of the past year.
Israel has blocked food and humanitarian supplies from entering the Palestinian enclave since 2 March, and resumed its brutal military assault on 18 March.
“More than 2.1 million people are trapped, bombed and starved again, while, at crossing points, food, medicine, fuel and shelter supplies are piling up,” said a statement co-signed by the heads of six UN agencies including the UN’s aid coordination agency (OCHA) and the World Food Programme.
At least 1,000 children were killed or injured during the first week after fighting resumed, the statement added, describing that week’s death toll as the highest for children of the past year.
“We are witnessing acts of war in Gaza that show an utter disregard for human life…We appeal to world leaders to act – firmly, urgently and decisively – to ensure the basic principles of international humanitarian law are upheld,” the statement read.
The agencies also warned of critical food and medical shortages in the enclave. Twenty-five bakeries supported by the World Food Programme during the ceasefire had to close due to flour and cooking gas shortages, it said.
More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli campaign in Gaza, Palestinian officials say.
(Reuters)
