Addis Ababa: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has raised concerns over the increasing use of hunger as a tool in conflict zones, notably in Gaza and Sudan, highlighting its devastating impact on peace and stability. He emphasized the urgent need to reject hunger as a weapon of war in a video message to the UN Food Systems Summit Stocktake.
According to EMM, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) reported that more children succumbed to hunger, as they await the authorization to deliver vital supplies into Gaza. For months, Israel has prevented thousands of trucks carrying food, medicine, and hygiene products from entering the region. However, a recent policy change by the Israeli military introduced a daily humanitarian pause, allowing aid access between 10 am and 8 pm in certain non-conflict zones.
The humanitarian pause, mapped by Israeli authorities, covers a narrow corridor in Gaza, including Al-Mawasi, Deir Al-Balah, and Gaza City. On Sunday, over 100 aid trucks were reported to have crossed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border.
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has drawn attention to the dire humanitarian needs in Gaza. Tom Fletcher, UN Emergency Relief Chief, stressed the urgency, noting that one in three people have gone days without food, and the risk to those attempting to secure sustenance for their families is acute. Despite recent progress, the need for aid remains immense to prevent famine and a health crisis.
Fletcher also noted the lifting of customs restrictions on essential supplies from Egypt and the designation of secure routes for humanitarian convoys. He called for expedited clearances and multiple daily trips to deliver aid safely, emphasizing the necessity of avoiding crowded areas and ensuring the safety of those gathering for food.
In tandem with these developments, a diplomatic initiative was launched by France and Saudi Arabia in New York, aiming to revive the two-State solution between Israel and Palestine. As part of this initiative, French President Emmanuel Macron announced plans for France to officially recognize Palestine in September, marking a significant move as the first G7 nation to do so. This conference builds on the 1947 UN General Assembly resolution that proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with the State of Israel established in 1948.