UN warns of imminent famine in Gaza; experts call for solutions beyond aid

UN warnings of imminent famine in Gaza intensify as the humanitarian crisis worsens, with 67% of the population facing food insecurity and 10% nearing famine. Experts call for solutions beyond aid, including supporting purchasing power, revitalizing the local economy, and ensuring sustainable flow of goods.

As international warnings escalate over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, fears grow that the food insecurity crisis will escalate to more dangerous levels as famine looms. The head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned of the deteriorating situation, noting that about 67% of the population suffers from food insecurity, while about 10% are approaching famine. Specialists argue that addressing the crisis is not limited to increasing food aid deliveries but requires urgent measures to ensure sustainable flow of goods, support citizens' purchasing power, and revitalize affected economic and productive sectors. Experts stress that the continuation of the current situation threatens further deterioration, calling for effective international interventions. Dr. Anwar Attallah, a researcher in risk and crisis management, said the figures reflect a dangerous reality placing Gaza on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. He explained that the food crisis began in the early days of the war, with residents resorting to storing canned goods, and that continuous reliance on them poses health risks, especially for children and the elderly. Meanwhile, Khaled Abu Amer, an economic affairs specialist, said the crisis has become a crisis of access, as the collapse of income and high unemployment have deprived a wide segment of purchasing power. He pointed to disrupted supply chains and rising costs leading to sharp price fluctuations, calling for supporting purchasing power and securing supply chains.