Citizens of the Gaza Strip have been under siege since the Israeli response to the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people. Since that time, Palestinian residents there have been caught in a crossfire between the two warring factions.
And today marked a sad milestone in the conflict. The Gaza Health Ministry announced that over 60,000 Palestinians have died in the 21-month Israel-Hamas war. According to the Ministry, about half of those killed have been women and children. 90% of the residents of the area have been displaced.
However, another crisis in Gaza has only recently caught the world’s attention. In early March, Israel cut off all food supplies to the area accusing unsubstantially, Hamas of having a plan to steal food aid before it reaches the Palestinians. Hunger issues in Gaza have always been a critical issue since the conflict began, but the situation has now become a tragic famine crisis in the enclave.
What Has Led to the Famine in Gaza
There is widespread starvation and malnutrition throughout Gaza, according to a U.N.-backed food security group. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) group announced today.
“The worst-case scenario of famine is playing out in Gaza. Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths. One in three people continue to go without food for days at a time.”
In May, Israel allowed food shipments to resume in Gaza, but the distribution system was changed. Private contractors now deliver the shipments instead of United Nations’ affiliated groups. Palestinians now have to travel miles through war-torn areas to reach the distribution sites. This journey cannot be made safely or inexpensively, leading to enormous food shortages in the enclave.
The Israeli Government denies these claims, saying the U.N. is free to distribute food in Gaza as it pleases. Instead, they blame the United Nations for the famine, countering that their aid workers are reluctant to enter the area to distribute the food. The U.N. rejects this, insisting that Israeli restrictions and their continuing war on Hamas have made it difficult for the aid convoys to travel safely in the region.
Where Things Stand Now
What is the situation on the ground in Gaza? The IPC estimates that 81% of the households in the northern part of the enclave have reported poor food consumption. In Gaza City, the incidence of acute malnutrition has risen from 4.4% in May to 16.5% in early July.
20,000 children have been treated for acute malnourishment since April, with 3,000 of those diagnosed as being severely malnourished. Overall, 88 children have died of malnutrition since the start of the conflict, and 58 adults have died this month from starvation-related causes.
And even when people reach the distribution centers, they are not safe. There have been two instances in the past month where Palestinians have been shot trying to access food at distribution centers in Gaza. On Wednesday, July 16. Israeli forces killed 20 Palestinians at a food distribution center run by an Israeli-backed American organization, The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Then on Saturday, July 19, Israeli troops opened fire, killing 32 Palestinians in the Teina area two miles from distribution centers also run by GHF.
Deadly Game of Politics
Hamas has been fully aware of the acute food and housing shortage in Gaza. But they refuse to give up their power in Gaza, thereby ensuring that Israeli troops will remain in occupation and Palestinian deaths will continue to rise. And Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said last year.
“We can’t, in the current global reality, manage a war. Nobody will let us cause two million civilians to die of hunger, even though it might be justified and moral, until our hostages are returned.”
And US President Donald Trump and his Middle East envoy Steve Wikoff have been duped by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his ultra right-wing Government into believing that Netanyahu wants peace in the region. In reality, what he and his government really seek is the formal annexation of the West Bank and probably Gaza, while also removing as many Palestinians as possible from the area.
Meanwhile, civilian deaths in Gaza continue to rise unabated.
