WASHINGTON: A senior US State Department official stated on Friday that there might be famine in parts of northern Gaza attributing the main challenge in aid provision to the shortage of trucks in the area, which was under Israeli control, as reported by Reuters.
According to the official, the United Nations (UN) has also expressed concerns about a potential famine and the challenges of delivering aid throughout Gaza. “There is a possibility that famine is already occurring in some areas of northern Gaza,” the official added.
Earlier this month, the UN warned of a probable famine in northern Gaza by May, which could spread across the entire enclave by July. Meanwhile, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric described the significant obstacles to aid distribution, including security issues, lack of cooperation with Israeli authorities, insufficient trucks, and fuel shortages.
The reports indicated that Israeli officials have claimed to have improved aid access to Gaza, attributing any delays to the UN and humanitarian agencies, while also accusing Hamas of diverting aid.
Regarding aid distribution, the State Department official explained that there were hardly any trucks left in Gaza to transport food from locations like Kerem Shalom, Rafah, or Gate 96, which the official identified as various border crossings into Gaza.
