More than 100 aid agencies warn of ‘mass famine’ in Gaza

More than 100 international aid agencies and human rights groups are warning of a mass famine in Gaza, and are pressing governments to take action. The BBC reported on Wednesday (July 23). The letter said that an average of just 28 trucks of aid were entering Gaza each day, compared with the UN’s previous advice that at least 600 trucks were needed to feed a population of two million. The groups said that “as mass famine spreads across Gaza, our colleagues and the people of Gaza are becoming increasingly exhausted.” They also called for the opening of crossings and for full food deliveries through a UN-led mechanism before a ceasefire. The groups complained that they were being denied access to vital aid supplies, and accused Israel of making false promises about plans to increase aid when in reality no action was taken. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the Israeli military agency responsible for coordinating the relief effort, Kogat, insisted that Israel was acting in accordance with international law. They claimed that they were allowing aid to enter but that it was not reaching Hamas.