Children 'starving' in Gaza as Israel blocks aid: UNRWA chief

By Yasin Gungor

ISTANBUL (AA) - The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees said Friday that children in the Gaza Strip are "starving" because of Israel's aid blockade.

"#Gaza: children are starving. The Government of Israel continues to block the entry of food + other basics. A manmade & politically motivated starvation. Nearly 2 months of siege. Calls to bring in supplies are going unheeded," Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X.

His statement comes as the World Food Programme (WFP) announced it has distributed its last remaining food stocks to kitchens in Gaza.

The enclave risks running out of supplies within days, according to the UN agency.

Crossings have been sealed since March 2, blocking all aid for more than seven weeks -- the longest closure in Gaza’s history.

Israel resumed attacks in Gaza on March 18, ending a January truce. More than 51,400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, have been killed since October 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.