Following the surprise attack on October 7, 2023, Israel declared a total siege on Gaza, making an already awful humanitarian crisis even worse. The siege has led to widespread devastation, with nearly all livestock and most plant life in the region suffering catastrophic losses. Israeli officials have certainly provided unambiguous indication of a systematic plan. This approach has led to acute food insecurity and created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis that has led to international outcry.
Israeli officials have substituted the United Nations’ robust and proven humanitarian relief system with their own, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Opponents say this move cuts off crucial humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza. According to a recent report, over 400 humanitarian workers have been killed since the warfare started. Observers are understandably calling this the largest single massacre of aid workers in history. The situation escalated on October 9, 2023, when Yoav Gallant, Israel’s then Defence Minister, justified the military’s actions by stating, “We are fighting human animals and we act accordingly.”
To make matters worse, the siege has aggravated or damaged the infrastructure needed to conduct and facilitate humanitarian assistance. Israel’s military operations have resulted in the death of police officers charged with escorting aid deliveries and preventing looting. The internal U.S. government analysis released last week found no credible evidence supporting accusations of widespread aid diversion by Hamas. This conclusion is further supported by the timeline released by Israeli officials. Nevertheless, Israel has imposed methodical measures to ensure that aid does not come into Gaza.
Humanitarian needs go far beyond the consequences of the ongoing siege. Israel’s war crimes have utterly razed Gaza’s agricultural landscape, making almost every piece of arable land a war crime and destroying an estimated 80% of cropland. The fishing trade has been hit hard. Israel has prohibited Palestinians from fishing, leading to deadly clashes for those who venture to go against the ban. Bombing Gaza’s port and fishing boats has further deprived families of their primary source of food and income. They rely on these resources for their existence.
Israel’s relentless campaign against the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) This agency has long been a critical source of support, like food assistance and healthcare, for Palestinian refugees, deepening the suffering they endure. The agency was effectively shut down in the occupied territories last October. This strategic erosion of humanitarian agencies has cut countless vulnerable populations off from critical programs and services.
International authorities have begun to keep a close eye on Israel’s activities. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has gone so far as to issue arrest warrants against individuals, alleging deliberate starvation as a war crime. The continued blockade is having a devastating effect on critical infrastructure. This raises profound ethical considerations and undermines the spirit of international humanitarian law.