The Gaza Strip has lived under close to 700 days of war, resulting in the worst man-made famine and humanitarian crisis globally. Last week, the Integrated Food Security and Nutrition Phase Classification (IPC) raised the alarm on this dire situation. The resulting humanitarian crisis from this escalating conflict has had catastrophic impacts. According to the Gaza health ministry, since October 7, 2023, 332 Palestinians have lost their lives due to starvation and malnutrition. The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. In response, the Israeli military is preparing a sieging level strike on Gaza City, calling it a “dangerous combat zone.”
What’s happened in the last 24 hours is worse than that. Recent reports indicate that at least ten more people have succumbed due to starvation and malnutrition. As of last week, the 2023 conflict has tragically left 124 children dead. This shocking tragedy shows the toll it takes on our most helpless and vulnerable members of society, our children. Yet the humanitarian cost continues to skyrocket. As a result of the Israeli strikes in Gaza, there is an enormous number of deaths of 63,371 Palestinians and 159,835 Palestinians have been injured.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
Almost eight months into the war, the damage to Gaza City is devastating. More than a million people have now been forced to flee the core and western regions. Residents must contend every day with aches, physical fatigue, hunger, malnourishment, and related fatigue. As the Israeli military escalates a ground invasion with the stated goal of retaking control of Gaza’s major city, the situation for noncombatants has reached a breaking point.
International organizations—including the Red Cross—are raising their concerns over the unfolding humanitarian crisis. Sam Rose, an official from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), emphasized the gravity of the situation:
“These people are facing death. Yet, they are now facing the threat of an invasion.” – Sam Rose
The population is at risk of famine. President of the ICRC, Mirjana Spoljaric, stated that “millions of Palestinians—including the starving, disabled and injured—are unable to flee or receive support.”
The IPC’s report on the deteriorating conditions in Gaza as they pertain to famine has drawn outrage. The Israeli government has roundly rejected its findings and demanded a retraction of the report. Local and state officials insist that the military presence is being mischaracterized, adding to the climate of distrust that has surrounded humanitarian efforts and military activities.
Civilian Casualties and Hostage Crisis
With the expansion of military operations, the harms to civilian populations only increase. On Saturday alone, at least 47 civilians were killed in Gaza City, further deepening a humanitarian crisis that is beyond catastrophic. Families are still reeling with grief and fury as they continue to process incidents where entire families are wiped out while they try to survive the ongoing airstrikes.
As if the conflict weren’t complicated enough, the ongoing hostage situation involves another potentially explosive dimension. Families of hostages, including close to 40 Israeli soldiers, have decried Netanyahu’s conduct in the negotiations. Einav Zangkauer, a family member of a hostage, voiced her frustration in a passionate statement:
“Netanyahu, if Matan comes back in a bag, not only will Matan and I pay the price, but I will personally make sure you are charged with premeditated murder.” – Einav Zangkauer
Fingers have pointed toward Administration Deals as Saboteurs while frustration with procedural delay and failure in negotiating terms has boiled over. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum stated:
“If it looks like sabotage, if it sounds like sabotage – it’s probably deliberate sabotage of the hostage deal.” – The Hostages and Missing Families Forum
The families’ pain is clear as they deal with not knowing what has happened to their loved ones while military operations continue.
Calls for Ceasefire
Amid this increasing violence and humanitarian catastrophe, the need for a ceasefire has been echoed by countless advocates around the world. The proposed ceasefire of 60 days would be accompanied by an agreement to release ten living hostages and return 18 deceased hostages. Skepticism still runs high among the families of hostages, who risk receiving no satisfactory outcome if negotiations continue for too long.
Specifically, Netanyahu has been facing mounting pressure at home for his military tactics. Nevertheless, experts are sounding alarms that continued aggression will have catastrophic results for the Palestinian population. We all know that without a new strategy focused on de-escalation and humanitarian priorities the war’s cost will only increase.
