According to the executive director of the World Food Programme, Cindy McCain, there is a full-blown famine in the northern part of Gaza that is spreading south. In an interview with NBC’s Kristen Welker, McCain explained that the situation is dire, and the famine is worsening as it moves southward. While the situation has not officially been declared a famine, McCain based her assessment on what WFP employees have seen and experienced in Gaza.
The devastation in Gaza has been severe, with Israel inflicting widespread destruction and suffering in response to Hamas’ attack. The IDF’s relentless bombing campaign has destroyed agricultural lands, critical infrastructure, and large areas of housing. Thousands of people have been killed or are trapped under rubble, with women and children making up the majority of the casualties.
Despite the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Israeli officials have continued to restrict aid shipments and subject deliveries to long delays at checkpoints. Human Rights Watch has accused Israel of using starvation as a weapon of war, exacerbating the dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
In north Gaza, the situation is especially dire, with reports of people resorting to eating grass and animal feed to survive. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported at least 32 deaths due to malnutrition and dehydration, including 28 children. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that it could take years to retrieve the bodies of those killed in the conflict.
Overall, the situation in Gaza remains critical, with the spread of the famine threatening the lives of thousands of people in the region. The ongoing conflict and restrictions on humanitarian aid are only adding to the suffering of those already struggling to survive.