UN Relief Chief demands urgent action to halt spread of famine and suffering in Gaza

Statement on the Occupied Palestinian Territory by Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

Israel’s latest displacement order against Palestinians in Gaza City comes two weeks since famine was confirmed in Gaza, and amid a massive military offensive.

There is a narrow window – until the end of September – to prevent famine from spreading to Deir al Balah and Khan Younis. That window is now closing fast.

Death, destruction, starvation and displacement of Palestinian civilians are the result of choices that defy international law and ignore the international community.

We continue to insist that this horror can be stopped.

Let humanitarian aid in - unimpeded and at the scale we can deliver.

Protect civilians.

Implement the International Court of Justice’s provisional measures.

Release the hostages.

Free arbitrarily detained Palestinians.

Ceasefire.