WHO Chief Warns of Imminent Famine in Northern Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict

Geneva, The Gulf Observer: The Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has issued a stark warning about the impending famine in northern Gaza, amidst the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. Calling the situation “deeply alarming,” Tedros highlighted findings from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), which indicate that famine is highly likely in the region.

“There is a strong likelihood that famine is imminent in areas within northern Gaza,” Tedros said in a post on social media platform X, urging for immediate action. He called for the “scale-up and safe access for humanitarian aid — primarily food and medicines for severe malnutrition — within days, not weeks,” to prevent further suffering.

The WHO’s concerns are backed by firsthand accounts from medical personnel on the ground. Hussam Abu Safiya, the director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahia, one of the few remaining medical centers still operational in northern Gaza, described the situation as “catastrophic.” He said the blockade imposed by Israel has resulted in severe shortages of basic necessities, including food and medicine, leading to signs of starvation among both children and adults.

“The blockade persists, and starvation signs are appearing in children and adults due to the lack of essential resources for life,” Abu Safiya said in a video statement to journalists on Saturday. He added that the continuous bombardment of northern Gaza has left the region in a state of “genuine annihilation,” further complicating efforts to provide aid and support to those in need.

The WHO’s call for urgent humanitarian intervention comes as international concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to grow, with millions of civilians facing extreme hardships.