<\/p>\n
Miss Palestine will be part of the Miss Universe competition for the first time this fall.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
On Sunday, the Miss Universe Organization told celebrity.land it was \u201cpleased to confirm\u201d<\/a> that beauty queen Nadeen Ayoub would be representing the occupied territory when more than 130 women from around the globe vie for the tiara come November.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n In a statement, it said, \u201cThe Miss Universe Organization proudly welcomes delegates from across the globe, celebrating diversity, cultural exchange, and the empowerment of women.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \u201cMs. Ayoub, an accomplished advocate and model from Palestine, embodies the resilience and determination that define our platform,\u201d it continued.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n The announcement comes as people in the war-torn region of Gaza are facing a catastrophic starvation crisis.<\/a> Almost zero food, water or humanitarian aid has been able to enter the zone following Israel\u2019s decision to lock down all crossings into the area between March and mid-May.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Since borders were shuttered, 266 people have died from starvation, including 122 children, according to a Monday report from Al Jazeera<\/a> that cited statistics from the Palestinian Health Ministry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As death tolls in the region continue to rise, Israel has come under increased international scrutiny for its retaliatory response to the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks that killed 1,200 people.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n 20 Years Of<\/span>Free<\/span>Journalism<\/span><\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n