Corinne Fleischer, WFP's regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, emphasized the severity of the situation, particularly in the Gaza Strip. Fleischer noted that more than half a million people in Gaza are facing catastrophic hunger and starvation, marking the region's worst food crisis in recent memory.

Fleischer also drew attention to the broader context, citing conflicts, economic challenges, and climate change as contributing factors driving millions to the brink of famine across the region. She revealed that over 40 million people in the region are experiencing acute levels of food insecurity, with more than 11.7 million people, including refugees and asylum seekers, at emergency or worse levels of food insecurity in six countries.

The crisis in Gaza has been exacerbated by five months of Israeli aggression, which has displaced around 90 percent of the territory's population of 2.3 million people and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine. The health ministry reported at least 31,112 Palestinians killed since the conflict began.

The dire situation in Gaza underscores the urgent need for international assistance and intervention to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis. (ILKHA)