A British aid agency has issued a stark warning about the levels of starvation facing Gaza in a stunt on Monday, 5th February.
Outside the Houses of Parliament, the Islamic Relief UK charity highlighted the mass starvation facing Palestinians in Gaza as a direct result of Israel’s ongoing siege.
A van was driven around Parliament Square, Millbank, Westminster bridge and Whitehall with the clear message that ‘Israel is starving Gaza’, to draw the UK government’s attention to the severity of the crisis.
“This is an entirely man-made catastrophe resulting from Israel’s ongoing attacks and siege of the territory, and without a ceasefire could lead to a full-blown famine amongst Gaza’s population,” says Islamic Relief.
It is feared that more than half a million people in Gaza, a quarter of the population, are now facing the most severe Phase 5 ‘catastrophic’ level of food crises, meaning a high risk of starvation and death. Shockingly, more than 80% of all people currently classified as being in Phase 5 worldwide are in Gaza.
The only way to prevent this is by demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and an end to the siege so that sufficient aid can entering Gaza.
Humanitarian organisations must be able to do their work safely and effectively.
Shazia Arshad, Head of Communications, Islamic Relief UK says: “Palestinians in Gaza are facing the fastest descent into starvation in recent history. Aid agencies the world over have repeatedly warned that Israel’s bombardment and siege would lead to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.
“Now these warnings have become reality, and unless immediate action is taken the numbers dying of hunger, malnutrition and disease could far exceed those already caused by the bombardment.
“The UK government must face the reality of Israel’s actions and the resulting starvation and must demand an immediate ceasefire and an end to the siege or risk becoming complicit.”
