• 1 in 3 residents in Gaza hasn't eaten for days amid a severe food crisis.
• UN to utilize Israel's temporary pause for delivering humanitarian aid.
• Over 100 truckloads of aid reported entering Gaza, but more is urgently needed.

The United Nations has declared a dire humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza, with reports indicating that one in three people has not eaten for days, and children are "wasting away" due to food shortages. Tom Fletcher, the UN's top humanitarian official, emphasized the urgent need for vast amounts of aid to avert famine. He welcomed Israel’s recent decision to facilitate a one-week aid scale-up, which includes lifting customs barriers and easing movement restrictions, as a crucial but insufficient step. "Vast amounts of aid are needed to stave off famine and a catastrophic health crisis," Fletcher stated, calling for, among other things, faster convoy clearances and safe humanitarian corridors free from attacks, according to TRT and AA.

During a limited "tactical pause" in military operations announced by Israel, the UN aims to deliver humanitarian assistance to the starving population in Gaza. Initial reports suggested that over 100 truckloads of aid had been collected from crossings to facilitate transport into the enclave. As highlighted by Fletcher, “aid must not be blocked, delayed or come under fire.” He reiterated the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, underlining that greater and sustained action is necessary, according to Channel News Asia and TRT.

Meanwhile, the scale of destruction in Gaza is staggering, with reports indicating nearly 60,000 Palestinians killed since the onset of hostilities on October 7, 2023, predominantly women and children. The situation has led to widespread devastation of infrastructure and further exacerbated food shortages. Fletcher's comments are underscored by an urgent need for immediate humanitarian access, as the humanitarian crisis spirals out of control. Last November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in Gaza, intensifying the international scrutiny surrounding the conflict, according to Channel News Asia and AA.