Recently, Israel’s military announced a tactical pause in operations. Some would categorize this a ceasefire across parts of Gaza. This decision is particularly surprising as humanitarian conditions in the occupied territory are worsening. The full blockade of Gaza imposed by Israel since early March constitutes collective punishment. The justification for this decision seems to be that it will pressure Hamas into releasing hostages. The dire situation in Gaza has led to severe shortages of essential resources, including water and power, and has resulted in alarming rates of malnutrition among children.
As the conflict continues, the infrastructure in Gaza has been decimated, making it increasingly difficult for residents to access basic needs. Since May, over 1,000 people have died in this journey to simply find food to feed their families. The overwhelming majority of these deaths are attributed to the culpable behavior of the Israeli military.
Rising Rates of Malnutrition
According to the WHO [1], malnutrition rates in Gaza are some of the worst in the world. During the first half of July, more than 5,000 children under the age of five were treated for acute malnutrition in the country. Even more alarmingly, since the start of the war, 133 people have succumbed to malnutrition, almost 90 of these victims being children. One month – July – accounted for most of the increase in malnutrition-related deaths, with 63 months of malnutrition-related deaths recorded in July.
The WHO described the situation as “alarming.” They announced that more than 70,000 children in Gaza will likely require treatment for acute malnutrition. Hunger has become widespread in Gaza. According to the United Nations, 20 million people across the population are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity, with approximately 500,000 people at risk of starvation.
“This is what the failure of the partial deals strategy looks like.” – The Hostages Families Forum.
Humanitarian Aid Efforts
In response to the mounting humanitarian crisis, Israel has initiated a daily tactical pause in three coastal areas: Al-Mawasi, Deir al-Balah, and parts of Gaza City. This common-sense measure will make it easier for all forms of aid to reach those who need it most. Israel, Jordan, and the UAE just made a big move by airdropping humanitarian assistance directly into Gaza. On Sunday, they were able to successfully deliver 28 aid packages. Further, more than 100 truckloads of aid were sent into their home region on that same day.
It’s a clear step forward, but challenges remain. It takes thousands of trucks carrying food and medicine and keeps them waiting at the Kerem Shalom crossing, clogged with delivery trucks. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) is another organization making urgent efforts to address the food crises in Gaza. According to them, they’ve delivered more than 90 million meals to residents affected by Ukraine’s continuing war.
“The occupation’s plan for airdrops and control of so-called humanitarian corridors represents a blatant policy to manage starvation, not end it.” – Hamas.
Mixed Reactions and Ongoing Tensions
As the tactical pause came down, reactions from both supporters and critics of the US involvement in the conflict have been mixed. Though some observers believe it is a positive step in the right direction to address humanitarian distress, others denounce it as an impractical and weak response. The Hostage Families Forum continues to be skeptical about these measures. They call for a really robust humanitarian ceasefire deal that includes freedom for all hostages and what it would take for hostilities to stop.
UNICEF spokesman Joe English remarked on the challenges of delivering aid effectively in such a densely populated area as Gaza. He stated, “We do airdrops in places around the world but it works where there are remote communities in big, wide open spaces. That’s not the case in the Gaza Strip.”
Meanwhile, Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has called for an even harsher, punitive response. He stated that “the only way to win the war and bring back the hostages is to completely stop the ‘humanitarian’ aid, conquer the entire strip, and encourage voluntary migration.”
