The United Nations accuses Israel of preventing aid from reaching Gaza as the famine begins

A senior United Nations official accused Israel, on Sunday, of continuing to prevent the entity’s humanitarian aid from reaching the Gaza Strip, as the head of the United Nations Food Program warned that a “massive famine” was sweeping the northern Strip, one million people.

Although it was not an official declaration of famine, World Food Program Executive Director Cindy McCain said — in an interview with NBC News that aired Sunday — that based on the “horror” taking place there: “There is famine, complete famine.” In the north, and it’s heading south.”

The Israeli government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on McCain’s statements.

The Director-General of the United Nations Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), Philippe Lazzarini, accused Israel on Sunday of continuing to prevent UN aid from reaching Gaza.

“In the past two weeks alone, we have recorded 10 incidents involving shooting at convoys and the arrest of UN staff, including situations where they were intimidated, stripped naked, threatened with weapons, and long delays at checkpoints, forcing convoys to travel throughout the night Or cancel,” Lazzarini posted on the social network X, formerly known as Twitter.

The Israeli government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Lazzarini’s statements.

Lazzarini also called on “Hamas and other armed groups to stop any attacks on humanitarian crossings, prevent the diversion of aid, and ensure that aid reaches all those in need.”

Hamas claimed responsibility on Sunday for the attack, which led to the closure of the main humanitarian aid crossing into Gaza.