The UN warns that Gaza is already suffering from the "worst possible hunger scenario."

BerlinGaza is suffering "the worst possible famine scenario" due to the Israeli blockade, according to the alert issued Tuesday by the international organization responsible for monitoring world hunger. This global initiative (IPC), which is made up of 21 international aid groups and several UN agencies, has warned that it has indications that "widespread hunger, malnutrition, and disease are increasing among hunger-related deaths."

For an area to obtain this classification, at least 20% of the population must suffer extreme food shortages, one in three children must suffer from acute malnutrition, and two out of every 10,000 people must die daily from hunger, malnutrition, or related diseases. "Immediate measures must be taken to end hostilities and allow for an unhindered, large-scale, and life-saving humanitarian response. This is the only way to stop the deaths and catastrophic human suffering," the IPC stated.

"The facts are clear and undeniable. The Palestinians of Gaza are suffering a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions," confirmed UN Secretary-General António Guterres, commenting on the CPI report. "This is not a warning. It is a reality unfolding before our eyes." The head of the United Nations refugee agency (UNRWA) expressed a similar sentiment, recalling that the famine in Gaza is "entirely man-made" and that the only way to reverse it is to "flood Gaza with a massive increase in aid." Philippe Lazzarini reiterated via social media that his agency has the equivalent of 6,000 truckloads of food awaiting permission to enter the Strip.

German planes

In response to the humanitarian emergency and extreme hunger, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced Tuesday that two German Army A400M military transport aircraft were heading to Jordan to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, "at the latest starting this weekend, possibly even tomorrow." The German government, in collaboration with Jordan, is organizing an aid airlift, in coordination with France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, which are also prepared to provide food and medical supplies for this operation.

"Jordan is an essential partner for us, given the catastrophic situation in Gaza and throughout the region. We are working together on the so-called air drops, that is, the airdropping of humanitarian aid," Merz explained after meeting with King Abdullah II in Berlin. Merz welcomed the "humanitarian pauses" that Israel claims to have established over the past three days to allow the entry of aid at other crossings. that the airdropped aid only represents "a small contribution," but considers it an important signal, to show that they are "in the region" and that they are "helping." "The level of hunger and suffering of the population of Gaza is alarming. This must compel the international community to provide them with urgent aid," King Abdullah II warned.

For his part, Merz pointed out that "the main objective of the federal government is peace and security for the inhabitants of Israel and the region," and made it clear that his government "does not have France in the short term," which will do so in September, as announced by Emmanuel Macron. Before that, he believes, there are more urgent issues: a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel "swiftly and decisively improving the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza" and the release of the hostages held by Hamas. Wadephul will travel to Israel on Thursday to urge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip. The Netherlands vetoes two Israeli ministers

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Dutch government banned two ultranationalist Israeli ministers—Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir—from entering the country for inciting "ethnic cleansing" in Gaza. In a letter to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament, Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp justified the decision by citing the "humanitarian blockade" imposed by Israel, which subjects the population of Gaza to "extreme and continuous deprivation" and has generated "unbearable living conditions." The Dutch government declared Smotrich and Ben Gvir personae non gratae and registered them as undesirable foreigners in the Schengen SIS system for their "continuous incitement to settler violence, their defense of illegal settlements, and their calls for ethnic cleansing in Gaza." Furthermore, Amsterdam summoned the Israeli ambassador to remind him of his obligations under international law.

Within the European Union there are also increasingly critical voices towards Israel: according to a publication Euronews, a group of 40 MEPs from various countries and parties, is pressuring Brussels to suspend trade agreements with Israel and impose sanctions on the Netanyahu government. In a statement, they called for the Israeli government to be held accountable for actions that "flagrantly violate the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law." "Future generations will judge today's leaders by their response, or lack thereof, to the atrocities in Gaza. Failure to act now will be remembered as a moral stain on humanity," the statement reads.

60,000 deaths

Despite diplomatic efforts, Israel's military offensive continues unabated and has already caused the deaths of more than 60,000 Palestinians since October 7, 2023, according to data from the Gaza Strip's Ministry of Health released this morning. The total number of deaths is 60,034, including 4.7 million Palestinians. Thousands are missing under the rubble. In its daily statement, the ministry indicates that on Monday, 122 deaths and 637 injuries were recorded in different locations in Gaza due to Israeli attacks. Of these, 22 were killed and at least 199 were injured at aid collection points.