UNRWA: Aid has not arrived in Gaza for a month and avoiding famine is linked to political will

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed that the last humanitarian aid it was able to deliver to the Gaza Strip was a month ago, stressing that "it is still possible to avoid famine in the Gaza Strip if there is real political will."

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that it has not delivered food aid to the northern Gaza Strip since January 23, due to the siege of the Israeli occupation army.

The agency's Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, said on his account on the X platform that UNRWA's calls to send food aid to the northern Gaza Strip were rejected and fell on deaf ears.

He added: "Since then, we, along with other UN agencies, have been warning of a looming famine, and demanding regular access of humanitarian aid."

Lazzarini concluded by saying: "Famine can be avoided if there is real political will on the one hand, and more food convoys are allowed to enter northern Gaza on a regular basis on the other hand."

Famine lurks in Gaza

Meanwhile, famine is lurking for tens of thousands of Gazans, with most basic foodstuffs lacking and the Israeli occupation forces preventing the entry of aid into the region.

On February 16, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced that between January 1 and February 12, the Israeli authorities refused access to 51 percent of the missions planned by partner organizations in the field of humanitarian work to deliver aid and conduct... Reviews to the areas north of Wadi Gaza.

According to the United Nations, reports indicate catastrophic levels of acute food insecurity throughout the Gaza Strip, with an increasing number of reports of families struggling to feed their children, and the risk of deaths from hunger in the northern Strip.

The OCHA office explained that more than half of the aid shipments to northern Gaza were prevented from arriving last month, and that there is significant interference from the Israeli army in how and where aid is delivered.

He adds that an estimated 300,000 people living in the northern regions are largely deprived of access to aid, and face an escalating risk of famine.

Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh announced the resignation of his government, indicating that he took the decision to resign in light of the political, security and economic developments related to the aggression against the Gaza Strip and the unprecedented escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem.

Palestinian Prime Minister Muhammad Shtayyeh announced the resignation of his government, at the beginning of the weekly cabinet meeting on Monday.

Shtayyeh said in a press conference today, Monday: “I would like to inform the honorable council and our great people that I placed the government’s resignation at the disposal of Mr. President, last Tuesday, February 20, 2024, and today I submit it in writing.”

He added: "This decision comes in light of the political, security and economic developments related to the aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip, and the unprecedented escalation in the West Bank and the city of Jerusalem."

The resignation of the Shtayyeh government comes in preparation for the formation of a technocratic (non-political) government to administer the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, as the principle of forming a technocratic government remains on the table of the Council of Ministers.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas informed several international bodies that his candidate to form the new government is the head of the Palestine Investment Fund, Dr. Muhammad Mustafa, according to Palestinian media.