Imminent Famine Threatens Northern Gaza as Global Pressure Mounts on Israel
A UN-backed report issued a dire warning on Monday, stating that northern Gaza is on the brink of famine. As international pressure increases on Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, the situation grows increasingly urgent.
Countries such as Canada, Australia, and Sweden have recently resumed their funding for UNRWA. Additionally, several Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, have stepped up their contributions to the UN relief agency.
Despite these efforts, UNRWA spokesperson Tamara Alrifai expressed concerns that the current funding may fall short of the substantial support needed to assist the Palestinians in Gaza. Alrifai emphasized the significant role of the United States as the largest donor, underscoring that contributions from other countries, no matter how generous, cannot fully compensate for the gap left by the US.
In recent months, Saudi Arabia announced a contribution of $2 million to UNRWA, while KSrelief provided an additional $15 million to the agency in November. However, the looming threat of famine in northern Gaza underscores the pressing need for sustained and substantial international support to avert a humanitarian crisis.
