Palestinians battle persistently in Gaza's enforced shortages to sustain life
In the war-torn city of Gaza, a displaced Palestinian father, Al-Athamna, paints a grim picture of the current situation. He describes it as impossible, stating that people either die from bombing or hunger. The food crisis and malnutrition in Gaza are currently at catastrophic levels, with approximately one third of Gaza’s 2.1 million people not eating for multiple consecutive days, and about a quarter facing famine-like conditions.
The crisis is exacerbated by the destruction of food infrastructure, such as bakeries and mills, due to Israeli airstrikes, along with a pervasive blockade that severely restricts the entry of food and humanitarian aid. The World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian organizations warn that people are dying daily from lack of food aid, with the situation worsening progressively.
The major causes driving this crisis include Israeli airstrikes and military operations, a stringent Israeli blockade, escalating conflict dynamics, and economic collapse. The conflict-related destruction and blockade-induced isolation have led to widespread suffering and loss of life.
The WFP's emergency director, Ross Smith, has stated that a third of the population in Gaza are not eating for multiple days in a row. The UN humanitarian agency OCHA stated that a large proportion of Gaza’s population is starving. Cases of acutely malnourished children in Gaza have nearly tripled since the beginning of July, according to MedGlobal, a US-based NGO.
The average number of aid trucks entering Gaza daily is not sufficient to meet the population’s needs. At least 875 people have been killed by Israeli fire while seeking aid or waiting for UN trucks carrying supplies, according to the UN. Looting has increased in Gaza due to supply scarcity.
The displaced population in Gaza experiences constant Israeli bombardment, lack of sleep, and difficulty finding food. The situation is so dire that even basic necessities like medicine are hard to come by. Qamar, a mother in northern Gaza City, relies on support from her parents due to severe food scarcity.
The aid distribution in Gaza has shifted to the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which operates from Israeli-controlled militarized zones. However, the ongoing conflict and the fact that almost 88% of Gaza is now under evacuation orders or designated as military zones complicate humanitarian access.
International health and aid organizations have repeatedly sounded the alarm over conditions and the lack of vital supplies in Gaza during the 21-month conflict. John Kahler, MedGlobal co-founder and a pediatrician who worked in Gaza last year, states that people in Gaza have no physical reserve left to fight off illnesses. The World Health Organization chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described the situation as "man-made."
Al-Athamna, a former driver for foreign journalists in Gaza, spoke to a website by phone since foreign journalists are not allowed in Gaza. He described the situation as "really bad" and said it is difficult to find food. Eyad Amin, a father of three young children who has found shelter in Gaza City, is desperate and can barely afford food.
The risk of famine remains extremely high and potentially escalating. While a famine was not officially declared as of mid-2024 due to some temporary aid improvements, the sustained blockade, ongoing war, and destruction of food infrastructure mean that the risk of famine remains a looming threat.
The situation in Gaza demands urgent and sustained humanitarian access and conflict de-escalation to prevent further catastrophe.
- The government of Israel has faced criticism from multiple international organizations for its airstrikes in Gaza, exacerbating the food crisis and malnutrition in the area.
- The media has been reporting on the terrible living conditions and conflict in Gaza, with stories of people dying from hunger and lack of food aid.
- The World Food Programme (WFP) and other humanitarian organizations have warned about the increasing number of people facing famine-like conditions due to the ongoing war and blockade in Gaza.
- According to general news outlets, the science community is examining the long-term effects of malnutrition and lack of access to healthcare on the overall health-and-wellness of the population in Gaza.
- Fitness-and-exercise advocates argue that regular physical activity can help boost the immune system and improve overall well-being, but it's difficult to maintain a routine in the stressful and unstable conditions of Gaza.
- Nutrition experts claim that a balanced diet is crucial for sustainable energy and overall health, but access to food and essential nutrients is limited for many people in Gaza.
- The World Health Organization has highlighted the dire state of healthcare and nutrition in Gaza, stating that people are dying from preventable diseases due to the difficult living conditions and lack of access to basic necessities like food and medicine.
