Addis Ababa: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning about the growing use of hunger as a weapon of war, highlighting that conflict-driven hunger is rapidly spreading from Gaza to Sudan and beyond. In a video message delivered to the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake in Addis Ababa, Guterres emphasized the destabilizing effects of hunger on global peace and security.
According to United Nations, the situation in Gaza remains dire as reports surface of children succumbing to hunger. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, expressed hopes of receiving clearance to deliver thousands of trucks loaded with essential supplies, which have been blocked by Israel for months. This comes after a significant policy shift by the Israeli army, announcing a daily humanitarian pause in certain areas of Gaza from 10 am to 8 pm local time.
The humanitarian pause, based on a map provided by Israeli authorities, covers a narrow strip of Gaza, including Al-Mawasi, Deir Al-Balah, and Gaza City. On Sunday, over 100 trucks carrying aid successfully crossed into the Strip via the Kerem Shalom border crossing, marking a crucial development.
While welcoming these efforts, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, underscored the severe needs on the ground in Gaza. Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Chief and head of OCHA, painted a grim picture of the current situation, noting that one in three people has not eaten for days and that children are suffering from severe malnutrition. Despite some progress, Fletcher stressed the necessity for vast amounts of aid to prevent famine and a health crisis.
Additionally, customs restrictions on essential supplies from Egypt have been lifted, and secure routes for UN humanitarian convoys have been established. Fletcher called for sustained action, including quicker clearances for aid convoys and ensuring safe routes to avoid attacks on those seeking food.
In a parallel diplomatic development, France and Saudi Arabia have initiated a new effort in New York to advocate for a two-State solution between Israel and the Palestinian people. The conference coincides with French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement of France's intention to formally recognize Palestine in September, the first move of its kind by a G7 nation. This initiative traces back to a 1947 UN General Assembly resolution that proposed the partition of Palestine into two independent states, leading to the establishment of Israel in 1948.