Palestinian Minister: Gaza is not facing a temporary food shortage, but a systematic policy targeting the foundations of life
Ramallah, Aug 3 (KUNA) -- Palestinian Minister of Social Development Samah Hamad said on Monday that Gaza is not facing a temporary food shortage, but rather a systematic policy aimed at undermining the basic foundations of life through the blockade and restrictions on the entry of food, water, and medicine. She made these remarks during a press conference attended by Ramzi Al-Akhras, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator in Palestine, and Sean Hughes, the World Food Programme (WFP) Representative in Palestine, to present the findings of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report and review the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
Hamad added that the latest IPC report showed that more than 1.4 million Palestinians in Gaza continue to suffer from acute levels of food insecurity, while over 212,000 people are facing a food emergency. Additionally, 74,200 children require treatment for acute malnutrition, and 24,600 pregnant and lactating women need urgent nutritional interventions.
She emphasized that these figures reflect the continued fragility of the humanitarian situation in Gaza, despite limited improvements observed in recent months. She noted that the relative improvement indicated by the report does not signify the end of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, but rather reflects the direct impact of the continued flow of humanitarian aid.
The Minister of Social Development pointed out that the blockade has led to an unprecedented collapse in purchasing power, the closure of dozens of community kitchens and feeding centers, and the transformation of obtaining even a single daily meal into a battle for survival. She highlighted the catastrophic conditions endured by displaced persons living in tents, the continued deterioration of basic services, rising rates of malnutrition, and the disproportionate impact on children, pregnant and lactating women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
For his part, Al-Akhras, Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, clarified that the report’s findings must be interpreted in a balanced manner, as they reflect improvements achieved solely due to the continued delivery of humanitarian aid, not as a result of economic recovery or the restoration of basic livelihoods. He affirmed that the humanitarian crisis remains highly fragile and that the continuation of humanitarian assistance is a fundamental condition for maintaining this limited improvement. He stressed that humanitarian aid to Gaza alone cannot constitute a permanent solution, calling for the full and sustainable opening of crossing points, the resumption of economic and commercial activity, enabling residents to regain their sources of income, and launching early recovery programs.
For his part, WFP Representative Hughes confirmed that the IPC report represents an independent technical assessment prepared by more than 60 experts from over 20 institutions, based on extensive field data, including the largest nutritional survey conducted in Gaza since the beginning of the aggression. He added that 67 percent of the population continues to suffer from acute food insecurity, while more than 200,000 people are facing a food emergency phase.
Hughes warned that any reduction in the volume of aid or funding would lead to a rapid deterioration in food security indicators, particularly given the decline in humanitarian aid coverage in recent months and the emergence of financial challenges alongside access constraints. (End) N.Q./Sh.M.A.
