Israel has actually deepened its blockade on Gaza since this past May, creating an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. What was already a tenuous situation has recently deteriorated, with food becoming severely scarce. Israel is currently permitting food into Gaza exclusively through the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), with four distribution points in Gaza’s south. Yet this blockade has galvanized a hunger crisis — the world’s worst — bringing increased international attention and scrutiny.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has recently issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. They stand accused of perpetrating war crimes — including the starvation of civilians as a means of waging war. Human Rights Watch has documented how dozens have died from malnutrition. At the same time, dozens of them, hundreds even, have been shot and killed by Israeli troops while attempting to enter or exit GHF distribution points.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
Even with these horrific circumstances, Israeli officials continue to claim that Gazans are not starving. They have rejected the calls to address accountability and humanitarian access, claiming that their refusal to aid starvation is propaganda waged by Hamas. Other Israeli officials, who were not named, have publicly expressed their skepticism. They reportedly claim that no evidence exists substantiating the claims of diverted food ending up with Hamas operatives.
Firsthand testimony and media reports tell a much more dangerous story. As a US Army veteran, Anthony Aguilar has experienced the crisis on the ground. He painted vividly heart-wrenching portraits of the Israeli defense forces firing directly at Palestinian protesters.
“What I saw on numerous occasions are the Israeli [military] firing into the crowds of the Palestinians, firing over their head, firing at their feet … not just with rifles or machine guns, but tanks, tank rounds, artillery, mortars, missiles,” – Anthony Aguilar
Aguilar made clear that this violence was rarely aimed at combatants, rather a tactic for strategic crowd control and deterrence.
“not because they were combatants or because they were hostile or because they were Hamas but simply as a means to control the crowd,” – Anthony Aguilar
Yet as the hunger crisis grows, so too is a rising wave of international demand to do more. Now, the UN and numerous humanitarian groups are raising the alarm. They continue to share the sky high rates of malnutrition and the rising deaths from starvation.
Proposed Changes in Aid Distribution
In light of the ongoing crisis, US President Donald Trump recently suggested that Israel should take charge of food distribution in Gaza. He gave no indication that he has any particular confidence that Israel would sufficiently discriminate in its planned operations.
“If they do it — and if they really want to do it, and I think they do — they’ll do a good job. The food will be properly distributed,” – Donald Trump
According to critics, permitting Israel to operate food distribution centers would only solidify its long-standing military occupation of Gaza. They maintain that this new move could put the lives of some aid seekers at risk. Moreover, it could allow Hamas to exploit the scenario and undercut Israel by controlling the aid pipeline.
Trump added that claims on the battlefield that aid is being stolen by Hamas further adds to the confusion.
“A lot of things have been stolen. They send money. They send food. And Hamas steals it,” – Donald Trump
This view highlights the highly politicized and often militant-controlled distribution of aid in an area beset with persistent violence and political division.
The Ongoing Debate
The debate around Israel’s blockade and how to distribute humanitarian aid is still incredibly contentious. Humanitarian advocates doubting GHF’s sufficiency GHF would not come close to making Gazans’ urgent needs whole. Aguilar spoke to this shortcoming, remarking that GHF has not been able to provide enough food gluts where they’re needed.
As pressure mounts on international leaders to respond to the crisis, Trump reiterated his commitment to working with Israel on this issue.
“We’re going to be dealing with Israel. And we think they can do a good job of it,” – Donald Trump
The ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to evoke strong reactions and demands for immediate action from global leaders, as civilians grapple with the consequences of prolonged conflict and insufficient aid.
