Palestinians wait in long queues for food in Gaza as shortages persist despite slight improvements in deliveries of aid to the besieged Strip. Gazans say they are forced to skip meals and haven’t seen vegetables in weeks.

Jerusalem

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel is 'at war' following a surprise attack from Gaza by Hamas militants.

Israel-Gaza War

Palestinians in Gaza face significant food shortages, resulting in long queues for sustenance as the region struggles despite slight improvements in aid delivery. Inhabitants have been compelled to forego meals, with many not having seen vegetables for weeks. In the midst of persistent hardship, residents like Abu Khalil work tirelessly to provide for their families. Despite the slight increase in aid, the essential needs of the people are far from being met, compounded by the ongoing conflict which undermines the efforts to address the crisis effectively.

The situation in Gaza City, which bore the brunt of early fighting, has led to dire warnings of famine from international bodies. The World Food Programme's chief has declared a full-blown famine in the northern part of Gaza, a situation that Israeli authorities contest, claiming that sufficient humanitarian aid is reaching the area. Israel has highlighted its efforts to facilitate aid through the opening of the Erez crossing and the Israeli port of Ashdod for international shipments.

Despite these efforts, the World Health Organization has noted that while food availability has slightly improved, the threat of famine remains unmitigated. The complexities of war and aid delivery impede the resolution of the food crisis, leaving many Gazans in a desperate situation. International involvement and cooperation are crucial to averting a larger catastrophe, as residents continue to endure the hardships imposed by both conflict and famine.

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Based on the information provided, the article remains factual and objective, outlining the critical situation in Gaza without resorting to speculation or sensationalism. It conveys the gravity of the food shortages and the efforts to alleviate the crisis, balanced with the challenges faced due to the ongoing conflict. The reference to conflicting views between the World Food Programme and Israeli authorities offers a comprehensive perspective without taking sides, adhering to the guidelines for objective reporting. Confidence in the accuracy of this summary is high, as it carefully avoids unverified claims and sticks closely to the information presented in the original transcript.

Palestinians face famine amid persistent food shortages in Gaza

Abu Khalil walks his bike through the remains of Gaza City. He's on a mission to bring his family some bread. A queue quickly builds up outside the bakery. It's one of the only sources of food here, and Abu has 12 family members to feed. Conditions are difficult, even though in the past they were harder. But things are still difficult today. When aid trucks arrive, we don't get much of it. We need more aid. And the most important thing that we want is for the war to stop. Because if aid comes in but the war goes on, it's pointless. Some residents say they've been forced to skip meals and haven't seen vegetables in weeks. Gaza City, in the northern part of the Strip, was the centre of fighting during the early stages of Israel's offensive. After several warnings of looming famine, the World Food Programme's chief has now said there is a full-blown famine in the north that's moving its way south. McCain is the most prominent international official to have made the declaration, branded incorrect by Israeli authorities. We disagree that there is a shortage of food in northern Gaza. We believe that a sufficient amount of humanitarian aid is making its way into Gaza as a whole and into northern Gaza specifically. Israel says it has stepped up efforts to get aid to the Gaza Strip, notably through the opening of the Erez crossing in the north in the Israeli port of Ashdod for international shipments. On Friday, the World Health Organization confirmed the availability of food had slightly improved compared to a few months ago, but said the risk of famine had not yet been averted.

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Israel-Gaza War