UN Struggles to Reach North Gaza’s Famine Zone
The United Nations warned Friday that aid convoys are struggling to reach the famine-hit areas of north Gaza, hampered by war-damaged roads and the continued closure of key routes into the enclave. Despite a US-brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, access remains severely restricted, threatening to deepen a humanitarian catastrophe in a region already confronting widespread malnutrition and collapsing infrastructure.
UN agencies report that an average of about 560 metric tons of food has entered the Gaza Strip daily since the halt, but this figure falls far short of what is needed to avert mass hunger. The World Food Programme (WFP) emphasizes that turning the tide requires a dramatic scale‑up in distributions, particularly in the north where famine conditions are most acute.
Ceasefire Opens a Narrow Window, But Access Is Limited
WFP spokesperson Abeer Etefa said at a Geneva briefing that progress is incremental: “We’re still below what we need, but we’re getting there. The ceasefire has opened a narrow window of opportunity, and WFP is moving very quickly and swiftly to scale up food assistance.” Yet, the agency has not yet begun distributions inside Gaza City due to ongoing access constraints, notably the closure of two border crossings—Zikim and Erez—in the north.
Access to Gaza City and northern Gaza remains “extremely challenging” according to Etefa. Convoys loaded with wheat flour and ready-to-eat food parcels travel from the south, but damaged or blocked roads impede movement and slow relief efforts. The northern corridor is where the humanitarian crisis took hold, making it vital to keep openings there to avert further deterioration.
On-the-Ground Realities: Health Systems and Nutritional Crises
Medical relief organizations report a stressed health system and limited capacity to deliver routine care. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) highlighted how relief operations have not fully returned to the north, leaving many civilians without access to regular treatment. MSF emergency coordinator Jacob Granger described harrowing cases, including a Gaza City woman with a shrapnel wound who could not access a facility for five days. When she finally received care, the wound had become infected with worms and maggots—a stark illustration of the ongoing vulnerabilities in the health network.
The broader humanitarian picture is equally troubling. UN humanitarian affairs chief Tom Fletcher, who visited Gaza on Friday, underscored the scale of need for a “60-day plan” to massively scale lifesaving work. He noted that tens of thousands of aid vehicles would be required weekly to address malnutrition, homelessness, and the collapse of essential infrastructure. Fletcher’s trip signals continued international attention and a commitment to pressing for more reliable access for aid convoys.
Cross-Border Hurdles and the North-South Divide in Aid Delivery
In the south and central Gaza, around 950 trucks entered through Kerem Shalom and Kissufim crossings on Thursday, according to COGAT figures presented to mediators. While these numbers demonstrate the capacity of relief channels, they also highlight the stark divide between southern and northern corridors. For populations in the north, where fighting has left hospitals barely functioning, the lack of reliable crossings compounds daily suffering and delays essential medical and nutrition support.
What Needs to Happen Next
Experts stress that sustained and safe access into the north is crucial. Openings to Gaza City and northern Gaza must be secured and maintained, with secure routes for food, medical supplies, and the thousands of aid vehicles required weekly. While political wrangling continues, humanitarian agencies say the immediate priority is to reduce human losses and prevent a broader famine from taking hold.
As negotiations and ceasefire interpretations continue, the international community’s focus remains on delivering relief where it is most needed. The UN and partner organizations are coordinating efforts to scale up aid while advocating for unimpeded access to the north, where the famine’s grip is strongest.
