The United Nations has declared Gaza the “hungriest place on Earth,” warning that 100% of its population is now at risk of famine. The assessment was delivered by Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), who called the situation “unprecedented.”
“Gaza is the only area on the planet where the entire population is facing the threat of starvation,” Laerke told reporters, according to The Guardian.
Since the partial lifting of Israel’s blockade, around 900 aid trucks have been cleared to enter Gaza, but only 600 have managed to offload on the Gazan side of the border. Many deliveries have failed to reach civilians due to chaotic conditions and ongoing security concerns.
Laerke described desperate scenes where aid trucks are overwhelmed by hungry civilians upon entry. “Once the trucks cross into Gaza, they are often swarmed by desperate people,” he said.
Israel’s Response
In response, Daniel Meron, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, dismissed the UN’s statement, accusing its agencies of presenting a distorted view of reality.
“UN agencies are cherry-picking facts to demonize Israel,” Meron posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The UN is feeding Hamas; we ensure aid reaches those in need.”
He argued that Israel and its partners are actively working to facilitate humanitarian aid distribution, and criticized what he called biased narratives that ignore Israel’s logistical and security challenges.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, international organizations continue to urge for unhindered access to deliver food, medicine, and other essentials to civilians trapped in the war-ravaged enclave.
