In a dire humanitarian crisis, over 2 million people in Gaza face the imminent threat of starvation, as crucial aid deliveries have been consistently delayed at the border by Israeli authorities. The situation has worsened in the past six months, with only a fraction of the trucks carrying food, medical supplies, and other necessities reaching the Gaza Strip.

Before the hostilities began, over 500 trucks were able to enter Gaza daily. Now, on some days, fewer than 10 trucks make it through, while on others, the number barely reaches 200, according to U.N. figures. This severe lack of access to essential supplies has raised concerns about the survival of the population.

Cindy McCain, the head of the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), expressed her worries about the situation, stressing the urgent need for consistent, sustained, and safe access to Gaza. McCain revealed that enough food to sustain the entire Gaza population for months was ready to be delivered, but the necessary permissions were not being granted.

The ongoing devastating ground offensive by Israeli forces, in response to the Oct. 7 attacks initiated by Hamas militants, has only deepened the unfolding famine crisis in Gaza. An international monitoring group warned that famine is imminent in northern Gaza, with the rest of the strip also at risk.

The toll of casualties caused by Israeli bombings has surpassed 31,000, with children accounting for 13,450 of those deaths. Shockingly, the U.N. has reported at least 25 deaths, mostly children, due to malnutrition and dehydration in recent weeks. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has disputed these figures and denied claims of starvation in Gaza.

Despite a binding ruling from the International Court of Justice two months ago, which ordered Israel to ensure the access of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the situation remains unchanged. Cindy McCain expressed her disappointment in the lack of respect for humanitarian law, identifying it as a major obstacle in aid delivery.

The U.N. agencies have faced criticism amidst the politically charged conflict. McCain, however, urged people to focus on addressing the needs and understanding the challenges faced by humanitarian organizations.

Meanwhile, Israel intends to proceed with a major military operation in Rafah, where many Gaza residents have sought refuge. This move has been widely condemned, with U.S. President Joe Biden stating that such an attack would be a mistake.

The international community, including Belgium's Minister of Development Cooperation Caroline Gennez, has urged Israel to allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. Failure to do so, they argue, would make everyone complicit in the unfolding tragedy.

While the first delivery of aid by sea reached Gaza on Tuesday, experts and U.N. officials continually emphasize that land convoys remain the most effective means of aid delivery. Unfortunately, Israel's consistent rejection of improving land routes has posed a significant challenge.

Inspections at border crossings have been slow, with no clear rules on which items are allowed in. This has resulted in arbitrary judgments and further delays. Experts believe that political pressure and leverage are necessary to compel Israel to change its behavior.

Prior to the conflict escalation, Gaza's population, many of them refugees, were already heavily reliant on humanitarian aid. Palestinians also relied on Israel for infrastructure, public services, and the distribution of aid. However, with cuts to electricity and water by Israel, bypassing the country has become increasingly difficult.

It is evident that the situation was already untenable before the current conflict, with catastrophic consequences unfolding. The magnitude of the conflict has exacerbated the vulnerability of the population in Gaza.

As the international community grapples with finding a resolution to the conflict, urgent action is needed to ensure immediate access to aid and prevent a full-blown famine in Gaza.