Famine threat looms in Gaza as authority of U.S. backed organization wanes
In the Gaza Strip, a humanitarian crisis of dire proportions continues to unfold, with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) head, Philippe Lazzarini, warning on Wednesday that the region is on a path towards famine.
On May 27, images emerged showing displaced Palestinians receiving food aid packaged by a US-backed foundation in the western Rafah district of the Gaza Strip. However, the distribution of aid has been fraught with complications, with the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) losing control during its second day of operations. The foundation was unable to accommodate hundreds of thousands of Gazans seeking aid.
According to a statement issued by the foundation, the sheer volume of people at a secure distribution center caused operations to stall, with the team temporarily retreating to ensure a small number of Palestinians could safely receive aid. The incident led Lazzarini to criticize the aid distribution plan, expressing his belief that it was a waste of resources and a distraction from the dire circumstances in Gaza.
Over the past few months, the humanitarian situation in Gaza has been increasingly precarious. The comprehensive blockade imposed by Israeli authorities since March 2025 has isolated over 2 million people, denying them reliable access to food, water, fuel, and medicine. Ongoing military operations and restricted humanitarian access have compounded 19 months of destruction and suffering, creating what the World Health Organization considers one of the world's worst hunger crises.
At least 47 people were reported injured during aid distribution in Gaza, reflecting the heightened tension in the region. Lazzarini met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on May 27, where he emphasized the urgent need for a collective humanitarian response and the importance of lifting the siege without delay.
Although there is no explicit mention of a US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the most recent humanitarian reports, established UN agencies and international organizations continue to provide essential services, medical care, and aid to those in need. The severity of the crisis in Gaza far outstrips the current humanitarian response, with persistent access barriers and the scale of need remaining significant challenges.
- In the midst of increasing tension and dire humanitarian conditions, the United Nations has criticized a recent aid distribution plan in the Gaza Strip as a waste of resources and a distraction from the critical situation.
- As the Gaza crisis deepens, the importance of political and global intervention is emphasized, with UN officials urging collective action to lift the ongoing siege and prevent a potential famine.
- Meanwhile, unrest and violence continue in the region, as shown by the reported injury of at least 47 people during recent aid distribution.
- Coverage of the Gaza crisis extends beyond local news, with global media outlets reporting on the impact of the comprehensive blockade, the worsening food crisis, and the urgent need for long-term political solutions.
- In the face of this complex humanitarian emergency, international aid organizations such as the UNRWA remain dedicated to providing essential services—including food, medical care, and water—to the over 2 million people living in Gaza, who face significant challenges in accessing these basic resources.
