The situation in the besieged Gaza strip is dire, as hunger worsens among the Palestinians. The United Nations General Assembly is preparing to vote on an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The U.N. World Food Programme has reported that half of Gaza’s population is starving and that hunger is a growing concern. The vote in the General Assembly is expected to carry political weight and reflect global views. The U.S. has received criticism for its support of Israel’s response to the conflict, and there are concerns about the use of U.S.-supplied weapons by Israel. As the conflict continues, aid agencies are working to increase the amount of aid reaching Gaza, and Israel has vowed to add shipment screening at the border crossing. The situation in Gaza remains extremely difficult, with ongoing violence and a desperate need for humanitarian aid.