UN chief: Danger of famine in Gaza is ‘intolerable’

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the danger of famine in the Gaza Strip is “intolerable”.

He explained that the catastrophic level of hunger and the threat of famine in Gaza, caused by the Israeli-imposed restrictions on humanitarian aid, price hikes and levels of displacement, are “intolerable”.

In a post on his account on X yesterday, Guterres said: “Alarmed by today’s IPC report findings that high displacement and restrictions on humanitarian aid flows mean people in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of hunger.”

“Famine looms. This is intolerable.”  the UN chief warned.

Alarmed by today’s IPC report findings that high displacement and restrictions on humanitarian aid flows mean people in Gaza are facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
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Famine looms. This is intolerable.
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Crossing points must open immediately, bureaucratic impediments must be…

— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 17, 2024

Guterres emphasised the urgent need to open border crossings, remove bureaucratic obstacles and restore law and public order. This, he noted, would enable UN agencies to deliver vital life-saving humanitarian aid.

Dozens of Palestinians have already died of malnutrition as a result of the “man-made famine” caused by Israel’s siege on Gaza. The true number of those killed as a result of this policy is not known as Israel’s bombing campaign has stopped civilians from seeking medical treatment or registering the death of their loved ones.

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