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Israel Fails to Meet US Deadline for Gaza Aid Increase, UN Warns of Famine

Israel missed a crucial US-set deadline to enhance aid to Gaza, putting military assistance at risk as a UN report cautions about impending famine in the region.

Source: bbc.co.uk1 min read
Israel Fails to Meet US Deadline for Gaza Aid Increase, UN Warns of Famine
Image via bbc.co.uk

In brief

The United Nations' primary agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa, has stated that Israel failed to comply with a US ultimatum regarding the enhancement of aid to Gaza. Within the last 30 days, Secretary of State Antony Blinken demanded an increase in the number of aid trucks to a minimum of 350 per day by November 12. However, as the deadline expired, reports indicated that aid deliveries to Gaza had dropped to their lowest level in a year, raising serious concerns about a looming famine, particularly in northern Gaza, where supplies are nearly nonexistent.

Israel claims to have increased aid substantially and blames aid organizations for failing to manage logistics effectively. Meanwhile, local conditions depict a dire scenario, with significant crowds and desperate residents fighting over limited food supplies like flour and bread. Despite the reopening of some crossings into Gaza, the quantity of aid entering the territory remains far below the requested levels, with the UN Office noting only about 40 trucks arriving daily.The controversy surrounding the distribution of aid continues, with Israel stating that a considerable volume of supplies is available for collection on the Gaza side, while the UN contends it is Israel's duty, as the occupying force, to ensure the safe transit of humanitarian assistance. With the situation worsening, the possibility of the US withholding military aid amidst escalating humanitarian crises finds itself within a grim backdrop of escalating violence and uncertainty.

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