UN warns Gaza ceasefire is vital to avert famine as aid remains limited

The United Nations has warned that maintaining the Gaza ceasefire is crucial to prevent famine, urging Israel to fully open all border crossings to allow life-saving food aid into the besieged territory.

The US-brokered truce between Israel and Hamas began on 10 October, but Israeli forces carried out deadly strikes on Gaza on Sunday, claiming alleged violations by the Palestinian resistance.

“Sustaining the ceasefire is vital; really it's the only way we can save lives and push back on the famine in the north of Gaza,” said Abeer Etefa, the UN World Food Programme’s Middle East spokeswoman.

“We know it's a fragile ceasefire; the most important thing is that it lasts,” she added.

Etefa confirmed that 530 WFP trucks had entered Gaza since the truce began, carrying over 6,700 tonnes of food, enough to feed nearly half a million people for two weeks.

But she warned that the current flow of around 750 tonnes per day is still far below the required 2,000 tonnes needed daily to avert starvation.

“Convoys are pushing through, food is getting to the warehouses and distributions are happening in an organised and dignified manner,” she said, stressing that this progress will collapse if Israel resumes its blockade or attacks.