David Satterfield, the US special envoy for humanitarian issues, has warned that the risk of famine in northern Gaza remains “very high” despite an increase in the amount of aid being admitted to the territory. The UN has long complained of obstacles to getting aid in and distributing it throughout Gaza in the six months since Israel began an aerial and ground offensive in the territory.
The UN has repeatedly called on Israel to ease restrictions on the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, and has also urged the Palestinian Authority to do more to improve the situation on the ground. However, both sides have been accused of failing to take sufficient action to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
The warning from Satterfield comes as the UN prepares to launch a new appeal for funding to support humanitarian operations in Gaza. The UN has estimated that it will need $570 million to provide food, shelter, and other essential services to the people of Gaza in 2023.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has been compounded by the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinians. The conflict has led to the deaths of thousands of people and has caused widespread destruction of infrastructure. The blockade of Gaza has also had a devastating impact on the economy, and has made it difficult for people to access basic services such as healthcare and education.
The international community has repeatedly called for an end to the conflict in Gaza and for the lifting of the blockade. However, both sides have been unable to reach a lasting agreement, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen.
