Herald Reporter
THE State of Palestine has warned of unprecedented catastrophic conditions in the Gaza Strip, where more than 1,4 million people — 67 percent of the population — now face crisis-level food insecurity or worse.
Palestine’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Dr Tamer Almassri, said the emergency is the direct result of persistent bombardments and Israel’s continued closure of all border crossings, blocking food, medicine and humanitarian relief.
“More than 1,4 million Palestinians representing 67 percent of the population face crisis-level food insecurity or worse. This severe emergency is the direct result of persistent bombardments and the relentless denial of humanitarian entry by Israeli forces,” he said.
At least 466 Palestinians have died from malnutrition and starvation since 2024, with children accounting for one-third of the fatalities. Projections show about 74 200 children will require treatment for acute malnutrition.
The blockade has also had severe, systemic impacts on maternal and infant health.
Dr Almassri said anaemia among pregnant women has surged to 61 percent, from 41 percent before October 2023, driven by acute malnutrition.
Nearly 4 000 pregnancy losses were recorded in the first half of 2026 alone — more than triple the number recorded in the previous six months.
“This enforced deprivation has rapidly accelerated the spread of famine across the enclave,” he said.
Dr Almassri also denounced what he described as systematic torture, repression and severe mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners from Gaza held in the “Rakafet” wing of Ramla Prison.
He said detainees have suffered grave injuries and burns, in blatant violation of international humanitarian law, including the four 1949 Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, the Convention Against Torture and the UN Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners.
The State of Palestine called for immediate and unrestricted entry of food, medicine and other humanitarian supplies into Gaza and for practical support to revive local food production so that “Gaza’s people can feed themselves with dignity.”
It also urged the international community, the Human Rights Council and the UN General Assembly to fulfil their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians and prisoners and to end impunity.
Zimbabwe has consistently called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unhindered humanitarian access and a two-state solution based on pre-1967 borders.
