RAFAH, Gaza Strip — A dire warning has been issued by the U.N. food agency, stating that famine is on the verge of breaking out in northern Gaza. The report indicates that 70% of the remaining population in the area is currently experiencing catastrophic hunger, and further escalation of the ongoing conflict might push half of Gaza’s total population to the brink of starvation. This alarming situation has put Israel under mounting pressure from its allies to streamline the entry of aid into Gaza and open more crossings.
The European Union’s top diplomat has labeled the impending famine as “entirely man-made,” accusing starvation of being used as a weapon of war. In response to the situation, Israeli forces launched another raid on the Gaza Strip’s largest hospital, claiming that Hamas militants had regrouped there and were using the medical compound as a base to attack Israeli forces. Despite the military justifications, the evidence fell short of their claims, leading to accusations of endangering the lives of civilians.
The World Food Program has released its latest findings, revealing that virtually everyone in Gaza is struggling to access sufficient food. The report states that approximately 677,000 people, nearly a third of Gaza’s population, are experiencing the highest level of catastrophic hunger. If Israel were to expand its offensive to the densely populated southern city of Rafah, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly vowed, the number of people facing catastrophic hunger might soar to over a million, half of Gaza’s population.
Matthew Hollingworth, the acting World Food Program country director for the Palestinian territories, warns that this is the largest number of people facing imminent famine in the world today, and it has only taken five months for such a crisis to unfold. He emphasizes that a cease-fire is essential, along with a continuous flow of massive amounts of food aid, access to clean water, and healthcare.
Northern Gaza, including Gaza City, has been the primary target of the invasion, resulting in the obliteration of entire neighborhoods. As a result, many residents have been reduced to eating animal feed. Tragically, at least 20 people, mostly children, have already died from malnutrition and dehydration in the north.
Airdrops by the U.S. and other nations are ongoing, and deliveries via a new sea route have begun. However, aid groups stress the importance of Israel opening up more land routes and easing restrictions. According to the WFP report, airdrops only account for a negligible share of aid compared to what can be transported by trucks.
While Israeli authorities claim to have no limits on the entry of aid, they accuse U.N. bodies of failing to distribute it promptly. Aid groups argue that distribution is hindered in much of Gaza due to ongoing hostilities, difficulties in coordinating with the military, and the breakdown of law and order.
Amidst this dire situation, Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University and an expert on global famines, asserts that Israel has had ample warning of the catastrophic consequences that further destruction of infrastructure, displacement of people, and obstruction of aid operations would bring.
Josep Borrell, EU foreign policy chief, emphasized that it is up to Israel to facilitate more aid, highlighting that logistics and lack of support from the United Nations are not the issues at hand. He stresses the urgent need for trucks to be allowed through the closed land crossings, as people are dying while waiting for critical supplies.
The heavy fighting around Shifa Hospital in the heart of Gaza City reveals the ongoing presence of Palestinian militants in northern Gaza, despite the severe conditions. According to people sheltering in the hospital, they are surrounded by Israeli forces, who are using tanks and artillery. Snipers are reportedly shooting at people inside the medical complex, with the army raiding several buildings and detaining dozens of individuals.
Gaza’s Health Ministry estimates that around 30,000 people are currently sheltering in the hospital, including patients, medical staff, and those who have fled their homes seeking safety. The war has resulted in approximately 80% of Gaza’s population being displaced.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesperson, claims that a “high-precision operation” was conducted in parts of the medical complex. He states that senior Hamas militants had regrouped there and were directing attacks from inside. The army reported killing a Hamas commander and finding numerous weapons in an adjacent room. They also detained around 80 people. Hagari assured that patients and medical staff might remain in the complex, and a safe passage was available for civilians who wished to leave.
Israel has consistently accused Hamas of utilizing hospitals and other civilian facilities as shields for its fighters, leading to the Israeli military raiding several hospitals since the beginning of the conflict. In response, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 31,726 Palestinians have been killed in the war, with women and children accounting for two-thirds of the casualties.
Efforts to broker another cease-fire and secure the release of hostages have been ongoing, with the United States, Qatar, and Egypt involved in the negotiations. However, significant disparities between the demands of Hamas and Israel have hindered progress. Hamas insists on guarantees for an end to the war, while Israel is determined to continue the offensive until it destroys the militant group.
The current crisis in Gaza is an urgent call for action and aid. The impending famine is a devastating consequence of the ongoing conflict, and it is crucial for Israel to facilitate the entry of more aid and open additional crossings. The international community must rally together to address this humanitarian crisis and prevent further loss of life.
