US adds voice to views that famine probably already present in Gaza

Famine is probably present already in at least some areas of northern Gaza , while other areas are in danger of falling into conditions of starvation, the US state department said yesterday, a day after the world’s top court ordered Israel to allow food aid into the territory.

- Peter Beaumont

“While we can say with confidence that famine is a significant risk in the south and centre but not present, in the north it is both a risk and quite possibly is present in at least some areas,” a US official told Reuters .

The comments add to a growing and powerful consensus that Israel’s military offensive in Gaza has created a famine.

The number of trucks distributing aid in south and central Gaza had nearly reached 200 a day, an increase on a month ago, but more were needed, the state department official said. “You need to address the full nutritional needs of the population of Gaza of all ages. That means more than just that minimal survivallevel feeding .”

The official said malnutrition and infant and young child mortality was a significant problem that was growing. “It has to be addressed by additional assistance coming and the right kind of assistance coming in .”

The official said a maritime aid bridge, promised by the US president, Joe Biden, which includes the construction of a floating port, would be ready by mid- to late April . This would make efforts to deliver substantial aid by sea a race against time unless there is a meaningful increase in deliveries by road via Israeli border crossings.