A humanitarian disaster unfolds in Gaza, with experts stating urgent aid is essential to prevent worsening malnutrition and starvation rates amidst ongoing conflict.
**Gaza Faces Severe Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Ongoing Conflict, Claims Trump**
**Gaza Faces Severe Humanitarian Crisis Amidst Ongoing Conflict, Claims Trump**
In a stark revelation, Donald Trump acknowledges “real starvation” in Gaza despite denials from Israeli leadership, as aid efforts struggle against overwhelming needs.
In a recent statement, former US President Donald Trump has recognized the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, labeling it as “real starvation,” a claim that starkly contrasts with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's dismissal of such assertions. During a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Scotland, Trump expressed concern over the visible suffering of children in the region, indicating that the situation demands urgent intervention.
The remarks come after the United Nations’ humanitarian chief, Tom Fletcher, highlighted a drastic need for food and aid in Gaza, describing the current supplies as merely "a drop in the ocean" compared to what is urgently needed. Fletcher welcomed Israel’s recent military pauses and aid measures but stressed that these efforts are far from sufficient. “It’s the beginning, but we need vast amounts of aid going in, much faster,” he told BBC Radio, calling for immediate action to address the growing crisis.
On a day when some humanitarian efforts were reportedly made, including aid airdrops from Jordan and the UAE, local health officials reported that at least 14 more people succumbed to malnutrition within 24 hours, pushing the total fatalities attributable to malnutrition in the region to 147, startlingly high for such a short period. The WHO has likewise communicated urgency, warning of an alarming spike in malnutrition-related deaths, particularly among children.
Despite Israel's ongoing denial of starvation in Gaza, asserting that humanitarian aid continues to flow, Fletcher reported on significant challenges faced by UN teams. The humanitarian operations have been hampered by systemic issues including bureaucratic hurdles and security concerns that leave aid drivers vulnerable to theft. “Most of those lorries... were hit by desperate individual civilians, starving,” he detailed, illustrating a grave picture of the on-ground reality.
Netanyahu continues to refute the claims of starvation, stating that such accusations represent a "bold-faced lie" and asserting that the Israeli military has facilitated humanitarian aid access. In his comments, he criticized UN agencies for failing to effectively distribute collected aid, urging them to take immediate action without excuses.
On the ground, the struggle for food and medical resources escalates as Israeli military operations persist. According to local health authorities, the conflict, which reignited after a Hamas-led attack on October 7, has led to devastating impacts on the civilian population, compounding an already critical humanitarian crisis. Reports indicate that at least 59,821 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict so far, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire and sustained humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering in Gaza.
