Israeli Blockade Causes Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza, Tensions Rise as Death Toll Nears 80 Daily
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reportedly worsened, with nearly 80 Palestinian fatalities daily due to Israeli attacks, according to TASS. As Israel's blockade of Gaza continues, the region's economy, once supported by agriculture and industry, is unravelling, leading to escalating food insecurity and malnutrition, according to The Guardian and Al-Quds News.
Context and Background
For months, Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade, causing severe shortages of food and medicine. Despite a partial lift of the blockade on May 19, only a limited amount of desperately needed aid has made it through. The situation has culminated in a death trap
as Israeli forces have reportedly killed hundreds of Palestinians trying to access aid, as per The Guardian.
Impact on Gaza's Population
The World Food Programme (WFP) states that one-third of families in Gaza are going an entire day without food. A report by Al-Quds News reveals that due to the extreme shortage of food, Palestinians are risking their lives to get food, with most casualties being shot or shelled while trying to reach aid distribution sites.
In a tragic incident, a two-month-old infant, Ahmed Tleib, died of malnutrition due to the blockade. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that a total of 18,741 children in Gaza have been admitted for treatment of acute malnutrition since the beginning of this year.
Controversy over Aid Distribution
While Israel claims that Hamas is taking control of aid in northern Gaza, authorities and tribal leaders deny these accusations, stating they're attempts to justify the ongoing blockade and starvation. A limited number of aid trucks have recently been secured by local groups and will be distributed through the WFP, according to Al-Quds News.
However, allegations of Israeli soldiers deliberately firing at unarmed aid seekers near US-backed distribution sites have surfaced, leading to numerous casualties. The UN Human Rights Office has labeled Israel's weaponization
of food against civilians in Gaza as a war crime.
Reactions and Implications
Fifteen international human rights organizations have warned that the Israeli- and US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and other private groups running humanitarian aid distribution in Gaza may be complicit in crimes under international law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his Defense Minister Israel Katz have ordered a new military plan to prevent Hamas from controlling humanitarian aid in Gaza
, fuelling further tension in the region.
Current Situation
As the blockade continues, Gaza’s entire population now faces high levels of acute food insecurity. The humanitarian crisis is intensifying, with nearly 400 Palestinians reported injured and nearly 80 daily deaths due to Israeli attacks. Despite international outcry and allegations of war crimes, a resolution to the crisis remains elusive.