The UN agency for Palestinian refugees has issued a grave warning regarding the severe food shortages in the Gaza Strip, which is facing a humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) stated on Thursday that, on average, Palestinians in the blockaded territory are receiving just one meal every other day.

According to @NRC_Norway and others, 83% of required food aid does not make it into #Gaza. On average people have one meal every other day.

To mitigate the effects of malnutrition, @UNRWA and @WFP distribute high-energy biscuits to children during recreational activities. pic.twitter.com/VmYJL4Ym0w

— UNRWA (@UNRWA) September 19, 2024

UNRWA reported that approximately 83 percent of essential food aid is being obstructed from reaching the two million displaced Palestinians amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza.

The agency also cautioned that delivering vital humanitarian supplies will become even more challenging in winter due to damaged roads and the war-torn infrastructure in Gaza.

Testimonies on the starvation crisis in #Gaza reveal a dire situation: "This is a population that is starving to death."

From #UN leaders to economists, they all agree that the severity and spread of famine in Gaza are unprecedented.#GazaGenocide #Palestine pic.twitter.com/UVbuhRUJLo

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) July 11, 2024

Palestinian officials have indicated that 36 children have died from malnutrition since the start of the Israeli war, while the lives of 3,500 children are at risk due to the regime's systematic starvation policy.

Earlier, UNRWA stated, “Sanitary conditions in Gaza are worsening by the day. Insects and rodents can spread diseases, threatening people's health and well-being.”

“UNRWA teams are working to help displaced families in shelters stop them from invading people's already crammed living spaces," the agency added.

Humanitarian impact of total Israeli blockade on Gaza

A recent analysis revealed that the total Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip is preventing the vast majority of food assistance from reaching the territory.

Conducted by 15 international aid organizations and published on Monday, the analysis reported that a record-low average of 69 aid trucks entered Gaza each day in August 2024, down from an already inadequate 500 per working day last year.

“83% of required food aid does not make it into Gaza, up from 34% in 2023,” the aid groups—including CARE International, Save the Children, ActionAid, Oxfam, and Islamic Relief—explained.

“This reduction means people in Gaza have gone from having an average of two meals a day to just one meal every other day,” they stressed.