As world leaders debate at UNGA, Gaza’s hunger crisis worsens
As world leaders threw their support behind Gaza and condemned Israel at the UN General Assembly this week, families in the enclave continued to struggle to find their next meal.
Across the Strip, queues at charity kitchens have become a lifeline for hundreds of thousands pushed to the brink of famine.
In Khan Younis on Thursday, displaced families gathered outside the al-Saada charity kitchen, waiting hours to receive a pot of rice or beans. Volunteers inside worked frantically, but the supply fell short of the need.
“Every day, about 20,000 people benefit from this charity kitchen,” said owner Saad Abdin. “Those who receive food survive; those who do not suffer even more.”’
Residents described a grim routine of waiting, hoping, and often leaving empty-handed. Um Ebrahim, who fled from the Aqsa University area, said some days she managed to return home with one or two meals, while on others she had nothing for her children.
Israel’s restrictions on the entry of goods have made meat, fish and eggs virtually unattainable.
“People here are suffering from malnutrition,” Abdin said. “There is not enough food to go around for all the displaced in Khan Younis.”
The United Nations has warned that Gaza City is already in “Phase 5” — the highest category of food insecurity — with half a million people at risk of hunger, destitution and death. Aid agencies say conditions are worsening daily as fighting intensifies.
On September 16, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a major ground operation in Gaza City. The Israeli army has described the city as a “dangerous combat zone” and urged residents to evacuate south, but aid groups say nowhere in the Strip is safe.
The war, now in its twelfth month, began when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100 people and taking over 200 hostages. Since then, Israeli bombardments and ground operations have killed at least 65,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry.
At the UN, speaker after speaker condemned the scale of Israel’s campaign and supported the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Leaders from Africa, Latin America and the Arab world urged stronger international action, accusing the Security Council of paralysis. Several called for an immediate ceasefire and warned that the humanitarian disaster in Gaza is a stain on global leadership.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
