Aid Challenges: Gaza Struggles Amid Allegations Against UNRWA
One out of every three children under the age of 2 in northern Gaza is suffering from malnutrition, as reported by the primary UN agency operating within the Palestinian enclave, as cited by Reuters.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) issued a warning via social media, stating, "Child malnutrition is rapidly spreading and reaching unprecedented levels in Gaza."
Even after five months have passed since Israel's aerial and ground campaign in Gaza, initiated by Hamas' attack on October 7, much of the enclave remains in ruins, with the majority of its 2.3 million inhabitants facing a severe humanitarian crisis.
The international body responsible for monitoring food security could declare a famine in Gaza if at least 20% of the population suffers from extreme food shortages.
Western nations have urged Israel to increase efforts to facilitate aid, with the UN noting significant obstacles, including border closures, stringent checks, and movement restrictions.
Conversely, Israel asserts that it does not impose limitations on humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians and attributes the slow delivery of aid to the ineffectiveness or inefficiency of UN agencies.
Israel has accused UNRWA of complicity with Hamas, alleging that some staff members were involved in the October 7 attack and demanding the agency's dissolution. Consequently, several major donors have suspended funding due to these allegations.
UNRWA refutes claims of collusion with Hamas and, in February, announced the dismissal of 12 out of 13,000 employees in Gaza shortly after Israel implicated them. Both the UN monitoring body and UNRWA itself have initiated investigations that have yet to produce results.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
