Gaza Government Warns of Famine as Aid Blockade Intensifies
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The Gaza government warned on Friday that famine is imminent in the Gaza Strip due to Israel’s continued closure of border crossings, which has blocked the entry of humanitarian and medical aid.
In a statement, the government’s media office said, “Today marks the 13th day of the Israeli occupation's crime of preventing aid and tightening the siege by closing the Gaza crossings.”
“The consequences of this crime on the humanitarian situation are clear, with the indicators of famine and food insecurity unmistakable,” it added.
The government reported that around 80% of Palestinians have lost access to food, as charity kitchens have shut down and humanitarian aid distribution has halted due to shortages of food and basic supplies.
It also stated that approximately 25% of Gaza’s bakeries have ceased operations, affecting bread availability for residents, and warned that more could shut down due to fuel shortages.
The statement highlighted that 90% of Gaza’s population no longer has access to drinking water, as a critical shortage of fuel has disrupted the operation of wells and desalination stations.
Additionally, the closure of crossings has worsened the situation for 150,000 people with chronic illnesses or injuries who can no longer obtain essential medications and medical supplies, according to the government.
The media office said that municipal services, including waste removal and road clearing, have largely stopped as authorities prioritize fuel for water wells. It warned of severe environmental and health consequences as temperatures rise.
It added that efforts to construct new refugee camps have been delayed due to fuel shortages, while the supply of tents for displaced families has been significantly impacted.
The government also noted that many Palestinians have resorted to using firewood instead of cooking gas, exacerbating respiratory illnesses and environmental damage.
Holding Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for the worsening crisis, the Gaza government urged Arab and Islamic nations, as well as the international community, to “take action to break the siege on Gaza, allow the entry of humanitarian aid, and hold Israeli war criminals accountable.”
More than 48,500 people, mostly women and children, have been killed in Israel’s military campaign on Gaza since October 2023. A temporary ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal had paused the fighting in January.
Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
Meanwhile, Palestinian resistance movement Hamas said on Friday that it has approved a mediators' proposal to resume negotiations by agreeing to release an Israeli soldier with American citizenship and return the bodies of four dual-national Israelis.
“The Hamas leadership delegation received a proposal from the mediators on Thursday to resume negotiations. The movement responded with responsibility and positivity, submitting its reply early Friday,” the movement said in a statement.
Hamas confirmed that its response included the “release of the Israeli soldier Edan Alexander, who holds American citizenship, in addition to the bodies of four others with dual nationalities.”
The movement reiterated its “full readiness to begin negotiations and reach a comprehensive agreement on the issues of the second phase,” urging Israel to “fulfill its full commitments.”
