UN, Oxfam warn famine looms as 'Israel' shuts Gaza’s last aid crossing
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UN and aid groups issue famine warnings in northern Gaza after "Israel" shut the last operational crossing, cutting off food and fuel supplies.
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Palestinians carry boxes containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the GHF, a US-backed organization approved by "Israel" in Rafah on May 27, 2025. (AP)
United Nations agencies and Oxfam issued urgent warnings on Wednesday about the deepening Gaza famine crisis 2025, as "Israel" closed the only operational aid crossing into the north, cutting off food and fuel supplies for hundreds of thousands of people already experiencing starvation.
The Zikim crossing, the last entry point for humanitarian relief into northern Gaza, was shut on September 12. Since then, no aid convoys have been able to deliver supplies, the UN humanitarian office (OCHA) confirmed.
Closure of Zikim crossing cuts lifeline to famine-struck areas
“There are grave concerns over fuel and food stock depletion in a matter of days as there are now no direct aid entry points into northern Gaza,” OCHA said in a statement, warning that road congestion and insecurity are also hampering efforts to move supplies from south to north.
Abeer Etefa, spokesperson for the World Food Programme, said, “There is an urgent need for an active border point into the north to be opened for essential life-saving humanitarian supplies.”
Bushra Khalidi, Policy Lead at Oxfam, warned the closure may represent “another strategy to corral the population to move down south.”
Civilians trapped amid assault on Gaza City
"Israel" launched its long-expected ground assault on Gaza City on Tuesday, intensifying efforts to force civilians southward by opening a new evacuation route. But many families remain in the city, citing dangers along the road, dire conditions in the south, and fears of permanent displacement.
Hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in northern Gaza despite warnings, with aid groups stressing that conditions are worsening rapidly.
Aid groups call for urgent access to humanitarian supplies
"Israel" controls all crossings into Gaza and has faced international criticism over its restrictions. While it claims sufficient food aid is allowed into the enclave, it accuses the Palestinian Resistance of diverting supplies, an allegation denied by the humanitarian groups themselves.
Humanitarian agencies insist that without immediate access to northern Gaza, famine will continue to spread. Oxfam and UN agencies have demanded that the Zikim crossing, previously used for aid deliveries, be reopened without delay.
Global monitors confirm famine conditions in Gaza City
A global hunger monitor declared last month that Gaza City and its surrounding areas were already experiencing famine, with the crisis expected to spread further without urgent intervention.
As international aid agencies warn of catastrophic consequences, calls are mounting for an immediate humanitarian corridor into northern Gaza to prevent mass starvation.
