By Matija Šerić
Hunger is one of the worst phenomena a human being can endure. The Proleksis Encyclopedia professionally defines hunger as: “an organic sensation caused by a lack of food, accompanied by discomfort, cramps, nausea, general weakness, and psychological fatigue.” Even this official definition is unpleasant, but experiencing hunger in practice is far worse. The residents of the Gaza Strip are unfortunate enough to have to endure this terrible condition for nearly two years, even though we live in a world of abundance.
Hunger Ravages the Enclave
On Friday, August 22, the internationally recognized system for measuring and analyzing food security, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), confirmed that more than half a million residents of Gaza City are affected by hunger. This is about a quarter of the population of the entire Palestinian enclave. It can be assumed that the number of hungry people is even higher than official statistics indicate.
The Gaza area is now officially classified as a site of extreme poverty, mass starvation, resulting diseases (marasmus, anemia, scurvy, rickets…), and death. All of this is the result of the deprivation of food and other necessities by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), which have kept Gaza under siege for the past 22 months. No one or nothing can enter or leave the area without permission from the Israeli military authorities.
A Situation on the Verge of Apocalypse
Before the war, Gaza City had around 700,000 residents—roughly the size of Washington, D.C. The Israeli blockade has caused the collapse of domestic food production in Gaza, which previously existed. The IPC warned that the situation will worsen if there is no imminent ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which would allow for proper distribution of humanitarian aid. Although the situation in the Gaza Strip has been difficult since the beginning of the Hamas-Israel war on October 7, 2023, this year it has approached apocalyptic proportions.
Gaza is gripped by famine
Children Are Dying
Although humanitarian convoys have entered Gaza, the situation dramatically worsened between March and May this year when Israel, in its efforts to eliminate Hamas militants, banned all imports of food, medicine, and other goods. Children have been particularly affected. By August 22, a total of 273 people had died of hunger, including 112 children. These are official figures; unofficial numbers could be even worse. The hardest burden falls on parents, forced to watch their children die without being able to do anything, as they simply have no way to help.
Complicated Aid Distribution
After recent revelations of children starving, Israel allowed larger quantities of humanitarian aid to enter, but the United Nations reported that this is insufficient, which is evident to any reasonably neutral observer. The problem is not only getting humanitarian trucks into Gaza but also the complicated way food is distributed to the final recipients. Palestinians must travel long distances to reach distribution points, passing through Israeli checkpoints along the way. This is a new system implemented by American humanitarian organizations distributing aid on the ground.
All these complications extend the waiting time for food consumption, which in many cases can be fatal, especially for the sick, elderly, and children. According to UN officials, hundreds of people have been killed by the IDF while waiting in line for humanitarian aid. Israeli troops deny the accusations, claiming they only shoot at looters. However, this clearly does not reflect reality.
The UN Recognizes the Catastrophe, Israel Does Not
UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated that the IPC findings indicate “a man-made catastrophe, a moral condemnation, and the failure of humanity itself,” and called for an “immediate ceasefire.” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the IPC’s conclusion, calling it an “open lie” propagated by Hamas. The U.S. State Department expressed doubts about the IPC report, calling the situation in Gaza “serious” while blaming the lack of food on Hamas militants and local looters. Israelis and Americans see the situation through very different lenses, which is not surprising given their support for radical Zionist ideas.
The Spread of Hunger
Hunger could become even more catastrophic and widespread once a general IDF offensive on Gaza and surrounding areas begins, aimed at eliminating Hamas. By September, one-third of the population of around two million in the Gaza Strip could be affected by hunger, according to the IPC. Numbers could be even higher since there is no part of the Strip normally supplied with food. Continued warfare will lead to further suffering.
Hunger explained
The Role of Hamas
Hunger in Gaza is a consequence of the Israel-Hamas war. Who is responsible for the hunger? There are three culprits: Hamas, Netanyahu’s regime, and the international community. Hamas carried out an irrational military incursion into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over a thousand innocent civilians. There is no rational explanation for the attack, let alone for the killing of innocents. The only somewhat plausible argument is that Hamas wanted to prevent the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. The new war between Israelis and Palestinians prevented this outcome. Hamas officials knowingly initiated a war, understanding that the Palestinian people in Gaza would suffer the most. However, as radical Islamists, they cultivate a cult of martyrdom.
It is also important to note that without the support of Israeli state structures, Hamas might not have existed. Although wealthy Arab financiers were the main sponsors, some funding also came from Israel. In the 1980s, the Israeli government did not oppose the emergence of another center of power in the occupied territories, which would undermine the dominance of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), considered the main representative of Palestinians and the most dangerous organization in Israel’s view. A former CIA official said Israeli support for Hamas “was a direct attempt to divide and dilute support for the strong, secular PLO by using a competing religious alternative.”
The Role of Netanyahu’s Regime
Furthermore, Netanyahu’s regime is directly responsible for hunger through its ruthless military campaign. It is worth emphasizing that a significant portion of Israelis does not support Netanyahu and his government, as seen in protests on Israeli streets. The government is clearly intent on destroying Hamas while making no distinction between militants and civilians. The government increasingly aligns with Israeli politicians who advocate permanent control over the Gaza Strip to dominate the entire Holy Land and establish a Greater Israel. In these efforts, they see the fulfillment of ancient Biblical prophecies about the coming of the Messiah.
The Role of the International Community
The responsibility of the international community for hunger in Gaza should not be trivialized. Yes, major world powers are responsible for the lack of a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict for over 70 years. The current war and the resulting hunger are consequences of the political dispute between Palestinians and Israelis. The international community, through its inaction and ill-considered actions, has further contributed to the creation of a rift between the two peoples. This rift deepens with new conflicts, wars, and instabilities. Hunger is a classic example of this.
Conclusion
In summary, the most important priority is to stop the war and enable the delivery of humanitarian aid. Afterwards, efforts should focus on addressing the deep-rooted problems that cannot be solved overnight. No one should go hungry.
