As David Miliband, President and CEO of the International Rescue Committee, recently stated, conditions in Gaza have become “catastrophic.” Even former President Donald Trump is calling on Israel to let in “every single crumb of food.” He stressed that Gaza has reached a stage of “genuine starvation.” This catastrophic situation is the result of Israel’s years-long siege, which has restricted essential goods and humanitarian aid. The international community is further called upon to act urgently and decisively to bring about an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
The Israeli military has implemented a “tactical pause” in areas such as Gaza City, Deir al-Balah, and Muwasi to increase the flow of humanitarian aid. At the same time, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) indicates that an extreme famine is currently developing in the Gaza Strip. About two million of their souls are penned into an impoverished urban rectangle. This region constitutes only 12 percent of the land area of the entire metropolitan area, exacerbating the disparate crisis.
Recent data from Gaza’s health ministry highlights a grim reality: 14 new deaths due to famine and malnutrition were reported within a day, bringing the total death toll to 147 individuals, among whom are 88 children. Six-year-old Yusuf Abdurrahman Matar and his four-year-old brother Emir are fighting for their lives from malnutrition, in Gaza City. Their struggle shines a light on the toxic conditions that many families in the city continue to endure.
Whether it’s through starving children or bombing hospitals, Trump’s statements echo a growing interest in protecting the lives of children in Gaza. He noted, “We can save a lot of people, I mean some of those kids. That’s real starvation; I see it and you can’t fake that. So we’re going to be even more involved.”
Despite international aid efforts, the blockade imposed by Israel has severely limited humanitarian assistance, leading to numerous deaths from hunger. This debate became particularly intense when Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) released a report condemning the use of such airdrops in delivering aid. They described the practice as “futile” and “cynical.” MSF representative Jean Guy Vataux emphasized that “air drops, and brief pauses for relative crumbs of aid, is nowhere near enough to prevent human death at an unimaginable scale.”
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative has recently released alarming alarm bells about the impending food security crisis. They stated, “Immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access into Gaza was the only way to stop rapidly rising starvation and death.” With all of these benefits, airdrops remain only a stopgap measure to deliver aid. Leveling up like this doesn’t address the real crisis we are in.
Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam’s policy lead in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, recently made an impassioned plea for international intervention. This catastrophic humanitarian crisis deserves an urgent response. Khalidi stated, “Israel’s genocide has thrown Gaza into the final chaotic stages of a full-blown human catastrophe. Today’s warning of an unfolding famine – one created entirely by Israel’s murderous siege – must finally rouse the international community to act with clarity and resolve that has so far been beyond it.”
Israel’s complete blockade of aid has left a tragic impact on the civilian population in Gaza. To date, just in recent months, dozens of other people have died tragically due to hunger. In reaction to these advancements, advocates want Israel to accelerate clearance processes. They would like to see fruits and vegetables, livestock and perishable goods get in and humanitarian aid delivered without danger.
While the Israeli military’s tactical pause aims to increase humanitarian aid, observers remain skeptical about its effectiveness unless significant changes occur in how aid is delivered. Most agree that short-term halts and token airdrops do not begin to address the scale of need that Gazans are facing right now.
Bushra Khalidi articulated the urgency of the situation, noting that “just as a family physician can often diagnose a patient she’s familiar with based on visible symptoms without having to send samples to the lab and wait for results, so too we can interpret Gaza’s symptoms. This is famine.”
The UN global community is looking to these developments very closely. Yet they continue to search for ways that will provide relief to the millions of civilians caught in Gaza. Trump’s comments have sent shockwaves through global diplomatic circles. People on the ground are optimistic that this increased focus will lead to proactive efforts to cut off the flow of war and siege induced suffering.