Warning of suspected mass starvation in Gaza, as conflicts between Israel and Hamas escalate, leave over a hundred humanitarian organizations voicing concern
In the embattled Gaza Strip, a severe food crisis and malnutrition have taken hold, affecting over two million people. One-third of the population is going without food for multiple days, and a quarter is facing famine-like conditions, according to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation is particularly dire for children, with nearly 100,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
The causes of this crisis are complex and multifaceted. The Israeli government's blockades and restrictions on aid access have significantly limited the flow of food, fuel, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid into Gaza. Despite the UN having sufficient pre-positioned stocks outside Gaza to supply the population for two months, aid deliveries are often blocked or delayed, worsening shortages.
The ongoing conflict and military operations in the region also hamper movement and make it dangerous to access food distribution points. Dozens of civilians have been killed near or at aid distribution sites, with children disproportionately affected. The conflict has also caused Gaza's economy to collapse, leading to soaring food prices beyond the reach of most families.
Governance by Hamas, the political entity that controls Gaza, and the ongoing conflict with Israel contribute to the blockade measures and security concerns cited by Israel for restrictions. These factors affect civilian access to resources and humanitarian aid.
The Israeli government enforces a strict blockade, limiting goods entering Gaza, citing security concerns related to Hamas, which is classified as a terrorist group by Israel, the US, and others. These restrictions directly contribute to hunger and malnutrition. Israeli military actions causing casualties near aid sites also exacerbate the crisis.
The UN and aid agencies have called for an immediate ceasefire and safe humanitarian corridors to deliver life-saving aid. Over the past few weeks, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been distributing millions of meals to those in need. However, aid workers risk being shot while trying to feed their families, and incidents at aid sites have resulted in fatalities.
In a joint statement, the U.N. and other aid organizations accused the Israeli government of implementing restrictions, delays, and fragmentation that have created chaos, starvation, and death in Gaza. The WHO has described the food shortage in Gaza as "mass starvation."
The situation in Gaza is a humanitarian disaster, with over 1,000 people killed by Israeli gunfire since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation opened its aid distribution sites on May 27. The death toll includes those who have died from hunger, with ten more deaths reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
The U.N. and other aid organizations have refused to collaborate with the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation due to concerns about its transparency and political impartiality. The organizations have also accused Hamas of disrupting food distribution sites in Gaza, placing Gazans at risk of hunger.
Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the WHO, stated that 90% of Gaza's population face difficulty accessing water. The situation in Gaza is critical, and urgent action is needed to alleviate the suffering and prevent further loss of life.
- The severe food crisis and malnutrition in Gaza have escalated, impacting over two million people, with children being particularly vulnerable, as nearly 100,000 are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.
- The Israeli government's blockades and restrictions on aid access have aggravated the situation, limiting the flow of food, fuel, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- The ongoing conflict and military operations in the region have made it perilous to access food distribution points, with civilians, including children, being unnecessarily put at risk.
- The UN has appealed for an immediate ceasefire and safe humanitarian corridors, noting that the current situation is a humanitarian disaster and a matter of life and death for many Gazans.
- International aid organizations have raised concerns over the transparency and political impartiality of organizations distributing aid in Gaza, as well as instances of food distribution disruptions by Palestinian authorities.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that 90% of Gaza's population faces difficulties in accessing water, emphasizing the urgent need to address the dire conditions in Gaza and prevent further loss of life.
