Northern Gaza at imminent risk of famine, WHO says
Published 9 November 2024
Northern Gaza is at risk of imminent famine, the World Health Organization said on Friday, as Israel continues its bombardment across Gaza amid threats by the Biden administration to limit military assistance to Israel if it did not allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
The Biden administration gave Israel a Nov. 12 deadline to take specific steps to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza, but the continuity of U.S. policies towards Israel has become uncertain as President Joe Biden enters a lame duck period following Donald Trump’s election on Tuesday.
While Biden's policies and weapons provisions have consistently supported Israel, his relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has at times been strained, including by some efforts to restrain Israel or nudge the country towards compliance with international law.
Trump, meanwhile, has staunchly supported Israel's “right to win its war on terror,” and Netanyahu and other Israeli officials have greeted his election with enthusiasm. Netanyahu was among the first world leaders to congratulate Trump in a phone call, and in an effusive post on X, called Trump's victory “history’s greatest comeback.”
Trump’s election sparked celebrations in Israel, and has fueled concerns among observers of further escalation amid a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
WHO said in its report that action was required “within days, not weeks,” to avert a catastrophic famine.
The Israel Defense Forces did not immediately respond to the statement, but said Friday it was preparing to open the Kissufim crossing into southern Gaza as part of efforts to "increase the volume and routes of aid into Gaza."