(MENAFN) Russia called on Israel Tuesday to take immediate action to prevent a further worsening of the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The appeal follows stark warnings from prominent UN officials regarding the escalating levels of famine and child malnutrition in the region.

The Russian Foreign Ministry referenced statements by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who labeled the conditions in Gaza as “hell” and reminded Israel of its responsibility as an occupying force to provide essential sustenance for the population.

Meanwhile, UN humanitarian chief Terry Fletcher condemned the use of hunger as a weapon of war, arguing that the crisis could have been avoided had aid not been obstructed.

Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), warned that Gaza's residents are now “without any chance of salvation” and compared the ongoing displacement of Palestinians to ethnic cleansing. Lazzarini also cautioned that the situation is rapidly approaching “genocide.”

The Russian Foreign Ministry highlighted that by late September, famine is expected to spread to Khan Younis and Deir el-Balah, placing the lives of 132,000 children under five at severe risk. Of these, 41,000 are already suffering from acute malnutrition—a figure that has doubled since May, according to the Ministry's reports.

“The alarming assessments of the situation in Gaza made by senior UN officials are shocking,” the Ministry stated. It called on Israel to cease fire, restore vital humanitarian aid access, and ensure the delivery of food and supplies to those in urgent need.

The statement also revealed that members of the UN Security Council are preparing to push forward another draft resolution aimed at addressing the worsening humanitarian conditions in Gaza, with Russia expressing hopes for its adoption.

Since October 2023, the Gaza Strip has been subjected to continuous bombardment and an ongoing blockade by Israel, leaving much of the enclave's infrastructure devastated and its population heavily reliant on aid, which international agencies have reported is now severely restricted.

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