In a distressing development, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has announced that Israel has definitively obstructed its efforts to deliver aid in northern Gaza, where the threat of famine looms large.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the agency, expressed his dismay, stating, "Despite the tragedy unfolding under our watch, the Israeli Authorities informed the UN that they will no longer approve any UNRWA food convoys to the north.

"This is outrageous and makes it intentional to obstruct lifesaving assistance during a man-made famine," he added.

Israel's response to Mr. Lazzarini's statement is pending, with no immediate comment provided to AFP.

According to Juliette Touma, UNRWA's director of communications, the decision was conveyed during a meeting with Israeli military officials, following two written denials for convoy deliveries to the north of the enclave last week. However, no reasons were provided for this decision.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza has been steadily deteriorating due to the protracted conflict between Israel and Hamas, which commenced nearly six months ago after Hamas's attack on southern Israel on October 7.

UNRWA has been unable to deliver food to the north since January 29, with a recent UN-backed assessment warning of an impending famine in the region by May unless urgent intervention occurs.

"The latest decision is another nail in the coffin for efforts to get desperately needed aid to Gazans reeling from war," stated Ms. Touma.

Martin Griffiths, head of the UN humanitarian coordination office, emphasized the critical role of UNRWA in Gaza's humanitarian response, asserting that blocking its food convoys to the north only exacerbates the risk of famine.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), condemned the blocking of UNRWA aid deliveries, emphasizing that it denies starving people the ability to survive.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an end to the "non-stop nightmare" endured by Gaza's 2.4 million inhabitants in the territory's worst-ever war.Israel has accused UNRWA staff members of involvement in the October 7 attack and labeled the agency "a front for Hamas.

"Ms. Touma revealed that Israeli authorities also rejected a UN request to send a team to Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, where fighting has escalated, to evacuate the injured.

The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,160 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.
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China Backs New Draft Ceasefire Resolution.
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In response to the escalating crisis, China voiced support for a new draft resolution at the UN Security Council calling for an "immediate" ceasefire in Gaza, after vetoing an earlier text proposed by the United States alongside Russia.

The Security Council is set to vote on the resolution today.Last Friday, the council voted on a draft submitted by the United States, which Russia and China criticized for not explicitly demanding Israel halt its campaign.

"China supports this draft resolution and commends Algeria and other Arab countries for their hard work in this regard," stated foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

"We hope the Security Council will pass it as soon as possible and send a strong signal for the cessation of hostilities."

The new draft resolution demands an immediate ceasefire during the ongoing Muslim holy month of Ramadan, with the aim of achieving a permanent sustainable ceasefire. Additionally, it calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and the lifting of all barriers to the provision of humanitarian assistance at scale.