Video: Jordanian, Emirati Planes Drop 25 Tonnes Of Food Over Gaza As Hunger Crisis Worsens
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate, following 21 months of war compounded by a full Israeli blockade of aid deliveries from March to May.
As Israel began a limited 'tactical pause" in some military operations, Jordanian and Emirati planes dropped food into Gaza on Sunday. The pause was announced to allow the UN and aid agencies to operate amid the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza.
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to deteriorate, following 21 months of war compounded by a full Israeli blockade of aid deliveries from March to May. Although restrictions have eased, the volume of humanitarian assistance reaching the Palestinian territory remains significantly below what international aid agencies deem necessary.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected responsibility for the worsening conditions in Gaza, instead directing criticism at the United Nations. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has denied accusations that it is using starvation as a weapon, stating that it has worked in coordination with the UN and other international organisations to 'increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip."
Despite these assertions, the situation on the ground remains critical. The World Health Organisation (WHO) raised fresh alarms on Sunday, reporting that malnutrition in Gaza has reached 'alarming levels." According to WHO data, of the 74 malnutrition-related deaths documented in 2025, 63 occurred in July alone. Among the dead were 24 children under the age of five, one child over five, and 38 adults.
'Most of these people were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly after, their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting," the UN health agency said.
WHO also emphasised that the worsening conditions were 'entirely preventable," adding: 'Deliberate blocking and delay of large-scale food, health and humanitarian aid has cost many lives."
The World Food Programme (WFP) painted an equally grim picture, estimating that a third of Gaza's population had gone without food for days. The agency said 470,000 people were 'enduring famine-like conditions."
UN emergency relief coordinator Tom Fletcher acknowledged Israel's implementation of tactical pauses in fighting and said UN teams would make every effort to deliver aid during these intervals. 'We will do all we can to reach as many starving people as we can in this window," Fletcher said.
(With inputs from AFP)
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
2 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Famine Is Unfolding in Gaza Strip, Experts Say
The Gaza Strip is experiencing famine conditions, a group of global food-insecurity experts said, the most dire assessment of the enclave's deepening hunger crisis since the war began. 'The worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip,' said an interim report by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, an initiative supported by the United Nations and major relief agencies. The job of IPC experts is to assess the risk of famine around the world. The interim report on Gaza released Tuesday doesn't constitute an official statement of famine—that requires a longer process—but it is the first time the group has described the food crisis there in such terms. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said 'there is no policy of starvation in Gaza, and there is no starvation in Gaza.' President Trump later Monday said the U.S. and Europe would help deliver food directly to Palestinians in Gaza. 'Some of those kids—that's real starvation stuff, I see it. You can't fake that,' he said. The humanitarian situation has deteriorated significantly in recent weeks across the Gaza Strip, with residents often going full days without eating a meal and medical workers warning of rapidly rising malnutrition, especially among children. The IPC said at least 16 children under 5 have died of hunger-related causes since mid-July, compared with seven children the U.N. says died of hunger during the entire first half of the year. Suhair Salim, a 35-year-old from Gaza City, gave birth to a baby last week. She says she hasn't had meat in four months. For the past few days, all she has eaten is bread and water—not enough to produce sufficient breastmilk for her newborn. 'He doesn't get full,' Salim said by phone. 'His skin has turned yellow,' a possible symptom of malnutrition. The hunger crisis is compounding the human toll of a conflict that has already claimed more than 59,000 lives, according to Gaza health officials, who don't say how many were combatants. The IPC's latest comments on famine conditions come as Israel has faced mounting international pressure to do more to ensure food and other vital aid reach Gaza's more than two million people. In early March, Israel began a total blockade of the Gaza Strip, banning the entry of all aid and commercial goods. Israel said the move was meant to add pressure on Hamas as talks toward releasing hostages held by the group faltered. Supplies stockpiled during a cease-fire earlier in the year had largely run down by May. That month, Israel unveiled a new aid-distribution system backed by the U.S. and operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Intended as an alternative to distribution by U.N. agencies, the GHF has been beset by problems from the start, from food running out at distribution sites to deadly shootings near them. Since launching its war in Gaza in response to attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has imposed strict inspections and limits on what goods can enter the strip, hindering the delivery of food and other aid. Israel has blamed the U.N. and humanitarian agencies for not doing more to deliver aid. Humanitarian groups say Israel has impeded their work through delays in clearing aid for distribution and denial of movement. Write to Margherita Stancati at and Feliz Solomon at
News18
12 minutes ago
- News18
Rice Storage Tips And Tricks: This Common Kitchen Item Will Keep Black Insects Away
Last Updated: Placing a small packet of hing in rice or pulse containers helps keep insects like ghun away, as its strong smell works as a natural and safe repellent In Indian households, staples such as pulses, rice, flour, and spices are often bought in bulk and stored for months. These essentials are typically kept in metal or plastic containers, ranging from small boxes to large drums. However, a common problem that affects these items, especially during the monsoon, is the appearance of tiny black insects known as ghun or patanga in stored grains. This infestation occurs due to a few simple yet often overlooked mistakes during storage. While some people resort to discarding the grains, using pesticides, or even matchsticks to fix the issue, there's actually a safer and more affordable solution hiding in your spice box. Use Asafoetida According to kitchen experts and home remedy enthusiasts, placing a small packet of asafoetida (hing) in your rice container works wonders in repelling insects. Known for its pungent smell and use in cooking, asafoetida's strong aroma acts as a natural deterrent. Insects such as ghun cannot tolerate its scent and tend to stay away. It doesn't spoil the grains or alter their taste, making it one of the most effective, safe, and budget-friendly ways to prevent infestations. Moisture provides the ideal environment for these pests to multiply rapidly. So, it's crucial to ensure your hands are clean and dry when handling grains and to always seal the container properly. Other Natural Remedies If you don't have asafoetida at hand, here are some tried-and-tested alternatives: Neem Leaves: Neem is known for its antibacterial and pest-repelling properties. You can add a few dried neem leaves to your rice container. Remember to replace them every couple of weeks for continued effectiveness. Dried Red Chillies: Simply drop a few dried red chillies into the rice drum. Their strong smell helps deter insects. Replace the chillies every two weeks, and the used ones can still be used for cooking. Black Pepper: Like chillies, pepper also acts as a natural repellent. The smell of pepper disrupts insect activity and keeps your rice pest-free. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
22 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Famine is 'playing out' in Gaza, warns global hunger monitor
Famine is "playing out" in the Gaza Strip, a global hunger monitor said in an alert issued on Tuesday as international criticism of Israel intensifies over rapidly worsening conditions in the Palestinian enclave. The worst-case scenario of Famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip," said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) alert.(REUTERS) "The worst-case scenario of Famine is currently playing out in the Gaza Strip," said the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) alert. "Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths." The IPC alert does not formally classify Gaza as being in famine. Such a classification can only be made through an analysis, which the IPC said it would now conduct "without delay." The IPC is a global initiative that partners with 21 aid groups, international organizations, and U.N. agencies, and assesses the extent of hunger suffered by a population. War has raged in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas for the past 22 months. Facing global condemnation over the humanitarian crisis, Israel said on Sunday it would halt military operations for 10 hours a day in parts of the Palestinian enclave and allow new aid corridors. For an area to be classified as in famine, at least 20% of people must be suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished and two people out of every 10,000 dying daily from starvation or malnutrition and disease. "Immediate action must be taken to end the hostilities and allow unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response. This is the only path to stopping further deaths and catastrophic human suffering," the IPC alert said. The latest data indicated that famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the war-torn Palestinian enclave - where some 2.1 million people remain - and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City, the alert said. "Formal famine declarations always lag reality," David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee aid group, said in a statement ahead of the IPC alert. "By the time that famine was declared in Somalia in 2011, 250,000 people - half of them children under 5 - had already died of hunger. By the time famine is declared, it will already be too late," he said. STARVATION, MALNUTRITION 'RAPIDLY ACCELERATING' The IPC has classified areas as being in famine four times: Somalia in 2011, South Sudan in 2017 and 2020, and Sudan in 2024. The IPC says it does not declare famine, but instead provides an analysis to allow governments and others to do so. The IPC's independent Famine Review Committee - which vets and verifies IPC findings that warn of or identify a famine - endorsed the Gaza alert on Tuesday. The last IPC analysis on Gaza, issued on May 12, forecast that the entire population would likely experience high levels of acute food insecurity by the end of September, with 469,500 people projected to likely hit "catastrophic" levels. "Many of the risk factors identified in that report have continued to deteriorate," the Famine Review Committee said in the alert on Tuesday. "Although the extreme lack of humanitarian access hinders comprehensive data collection, it is clear from available evidence that starvation, malnutrition, and mortality are rapidly accelerating." Israel controls all access to Gaza. After an 11-week blockade, limited U.N.-led aid operations resumed on May 19 and a week later the obscure new U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation - backed by Israel and the United States - began distributing food aid. The rival aid efforts have sparked a war of words - pitting Israel, the U.S. and the GHF against the U.N., international aid groups and dozens of governments from around the world. Israel and the U.S. accuse Hamas of stealing aid - which the militants deny - and the U.N. of failing to prevent it. The U.N. says it has not seen evidence of mass aid diversion in Gaza by Hamas. The IPC alert said 88% of Gaza is under evacuation orders or within militarized areas. "People's access to food across Gaza is now alarmingly erratic and extremely perilous," it said. The IPC and the Famine Review Committee were both critical of the GHF efforts in the alert issued on Tuesday. The IPC said most of the GHF "food items are not ready-to-eat and require water and fuel to cook, which are largely unavailable." The Famine Review Committee said: "Our analysis of the food packages supplied by the GHF shows that their distribution plan would lead to mass starvation." The GHF says it has been able to transport aid into Gaza without any being stolen by Hamas and that it has so far distributed more than 96 million meals. The IPC alert said an estimated minimum of 62,000 metric tonnes of staple food is required every month to cover the basic food needs of the Gazan population. But it said that according lk;;m;.;lkl;' to COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, only 19,900 MT of food entered Gaza in May and 37,800 MT in June. The war in Gaza was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas killed 1,200 people in southern Israel and took some 250 hostages, according to Israeli tallies. Since then, Israel's military campaign has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
