A top United Nations official said Sunday that there is a "narrow window" to prevent a further spread of famine in the Gaza Strip. He urged Israel to allow unhindered humanitarian aid to reach the area where it is fighting the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The World Hunger Monitoring Center says hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are already suffering from hunger or are at risk of starvation in places such as Gaza City, the enclave's largest urban center, where Israel has launched a new offensive against Hamas.
Israel, which suspended all aid for 11 weeks from March to mid-May, says it is doing more to ensure the access and distribution of assistance to the Gaza Strip. However, international agencies say significantly more aid is needed.
"There is a short window of time until the end of September to prevent the spread of famine in Deir el-Balah (central Gaza) and Khan Younis (southern Gaza). That time is running out quickly," said Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief.
