UN aid agencies have warned that "pockets of famine" already exist in Gaza, where thousands of people have been displaced by Israeli bombardments and left with little to no access to food. In a joint statement, the World Food Programme, UNICEF and the World Health Organisation said new entry routes into Gaza must be opened in order to deliver humanitarian supplies. While the UN did not directly blame Israel for hampering access to Gaza, the agencies said not enough trucks are being allowed through border checks each day. Living amid the ruinsIn the north of Gaza, around 300,000 people are still living amid the ruins of buildings destroyed by Israeli strikes. The aid is expected to leave Qatar for Egypt on Wednesday before being taken across the Rafah border crossing into Gaza.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 17, 2024 15:29 UTC