A Looming Crisis: Famine in Gaza Threatens millions, Despite Israeli Blockade
Imminent Hunger Crisis Foreseen by Israeli Military in Gaza Strip
By Hubertus Volmer
Unveiling the Plight
Gaza Strip's two million Palestinians dwell on the brink of starvation, a reality Israeli military officials admit privately, though officially, the blockade persists. The US is spearheading a plan to ensure humanitarian aid reaches the besieged population, bypassing Israel's intervention.
Inside Scoop from Israel's Military
The threat of famine in Gaza is not limited to aid organizations, UN representatives, or the Hamas-controlled health ministry in Gaza. Reported by the "New York Times", three Israeli military officials have informally concluded that the two million Palestinians are at risk of famine if aid delivery resumption is not expedited within a few weeks.
Israel's Political Brinkmanship
Israel has enforced an aid embargo on Gaza since March 2, disallowing supplies like food, medicine, and fuel. The blockade purports to impede Hamas from utilizing aid intended for civilians while exerting pressure on the terrorist organization. In April, extremist security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed in an interview with "Haaretz" that the halt in humanitarian aid was a crucial tool in battling Hamas. "Resuming aid to Gaza prior to Hamas's surrender and release of all hostages would be ahistoric blunder."
The Hostage Crisis
Demonstrations against Hamas’ rule have transpired in Gaza, yet Israel has not achieved its goal of liberating the hostages through the embargo or military actions. Presently, 58 Israeli hostages are still in Hamas' custody, including those with dual Israeli-German nationality. According to "Haaretz", 35 of the captives have been announced dead, while Hamas abducted 250 people from Israel in the October 7, 2023, attack— the deadliest Jewish massacre since the Holocaust.
International Surge of Disapproval
Criticism of both the blockade and Israel's military actions intensifies worldwide. In a joint statement, France, Britain, and Germany's foreign ministers viewed the blockade as "unsustainable" at the end of April, when Annalena Baerbock served as Germany's foreign minister. Her successor, Johann Wadephul, echoed similar sentiment in a recent visit to Israel, emphasizing the worsening conditions in Gaza.
Living Testimonies of Hunger
The Hamas health ministry in Gaza reported at least 57 hunger-related fatalities resulting from the blockade, as revealed by Arabic channel Al-Jazeera on May 3. A UNRWA chief told the BBC that if aid does not arrive within weeks, residents in Gaza will not succumb to bombings, but lack of food. UNRWA accused Israel of waging war by employing the blockade as a weapon to achieve political or military goals, a war crime.
Trump's Frustration with Netanyahu
The UNRWA chief's remarks underscored Donald Trump's dissatisfaction with Benjamin Netanyahu's policies, although Trump refrained from visiting Israel during his recent Middle East trip, seeking progress in ceasefire negotiations and hostage releases. According to former US Ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, Trump is visibly displeased with Netanyahu's approach like any other president who has engaged with him.
Netanyahu's Unwavering Stance
Despite Trump's growing discontent, Netanyahu remains firmly committed to Israel's military objectives in Gaza. In a recent statement, Netanyahu reinforced that Israel would not cease hostilities until Hamas is eradicated, implying that any ceasefire would be temporary, even with the release of hostages. Netanyahu has also advocated for intensifying the offensive in Gaza, as proven by his cabinet's decision a week earlier.
Aid bypassing Israel: The New Approach
Reports suggest Israeli military officials are exploring options to resume aid deliveries bypassing Hamas, citing the severity of the ensuing famine, according to the "New York Times". This may indicate a shift in strategy aimed at addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza, albeit not entirely avoiding Israeli involvement.
[1] According to recent insights, a private US-backed foundation is planning to initiate aid deliveries in Gaza by the end of May, despite UN warnings. This initiative signals endeavors to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, though it does not guarantee no Israeli intervention.
- The European Union, committed to the implementation of the Paris Agreement, has expressed concern over the worsening health and wellness conditions in the Gaza Strip due to the ongoing famine, calling for immediate humanitarian aid.
- In the midst of this political brinkmanship, science and medical-conditions have taken a back seat as Israel's current blockade on Gaza continues to hinder the delivery of essential supplies like food and medicine, putting millions of Palestinians at risk.
- As the general news concerning the Famine in Gaza continues to unfold, crime and justice issues, such as the hostage crisis, remain persistent, further complicating the already tense international relations in the region.
