Cindy McCain, the director of the World Food Program, has expressed grave concern over the dire situation in northern Gaza, describing it as a "full-blown famine."
In an interview set to air on NBC's "Meet The Press," McCain stated, "There is famine – full-blown famine – in the north and it's moving its way south."
It's important to note that while McCain's remarks are alarming, they do not constitute an official declaration of famine, which is a technical designation managed by the United Nations. The U.N. has been warning of an imminent famine in Gaza since mid-March.
McCain's statement makes her the second American official to highlight the severity of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Samantha Power, the director of the U.S. Agency for International Development, was the first to do so during congressional testimony last month.
McCain emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "It's horror. It's so hard to look at and it's so hard to hear, also." She expressed hope for a ceasefire to be achieved soon so that aid can reach the affected population, especially in the North.
According to local health authorities, more than 34,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, with Israel launching a bombing campaign in retaliation for an attack by Hamas. This attack resulted in around 1,200 deaths and more than 200 people being taken hostage into Gaza.
Gaza has been facing a hunger crisis for months due to the ongoing conflict. Following the Oct. 7 attack, Israel implemented a "complete siege" of Gaza, blocking the entry of electricity, food, water, and fuel into the territory. The siege has since been lifted, but aid workers still face challenges in delivering supplies to Palestinians due to extensive inspections at border checkpoints.
In response to the crisis, American military forces are constructing two floating piers off the Gaza coast to facilitate the delivery of 2 million meals a day to those facing starvation as a result of the war.
Israel has come under increased pressure to ease restrictions and allow aid workers easier access to Gaza. The recent death of seven international aid workers from World Central Kitchen in an Israeli airstrike prompted President Joe Biden to issue an ultimatum to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to ensure the protection of civilians and aid workers or risk losing U.S. military support.