Israel's Strategic Usage of Food Shortages: An Inside Look at Gaza's Starvation Tactics
========================================================
In the war-torn territory of Gaza, a human-made famine has been unfolding for months, leaving millions of Palestinians in dire straits. Since May 2021, Israeli forces have blocked humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, water, and fuel, from entering the Gaza Strip for approximately 11 weeks.
The situation in Gaza mirrors the gloomy and nightmarish picture depicted in WB Yeats' poem 'The Second Coming', with tumultuous events, chaos, and Israeli forces straining every nerve to deprive Palestinians of basic food requirements. At least 16 children under five have died from hunger-related causes since mid-July, and hospitals in Gaza have treated more than 20,000 children for acute malnutrition since April.
To meet their nutritional needs, Palestinians in Gaza require an average of 2,279 calories per person per day. To provide for this, 1.836 kg of food is needed for each person daily. However, between March and June 2021, Israel allowed only 56,000 tonnes of food into the Palestinian territory, which is less than a quarter of Gaza's minimum needs.
Israeli authorities have been accused of causing a famine in Gaza by deliberately blocking humanitarian aid supplies as part of a strategy to pressure Hamas. Critics argue that new Israeli bureaucratic measures require NGOs to register under vague criteria, which is used to block and control independent aid organizations, further tightening the blockade.
Despite Israeli claims there are no limits on aid, most major international NGOs have been unable to deliver aid since March, with over 60 aid requests denied in July alone, leaving millions of dollars of aid stranded in warehouses outside Gaza. The United Nations agency UNRWA has reported no aid trucks have been allowed into Gaza for over five months, leading to a sharp rise in malnutrition deaths.
Amnesty International and other organizations have provided testimonies and evidence suggesting Israelβs actions constitute a deliberate policy of starvation aimed at weakening Gazaβs population and infrastructure. The humanitarian organizations are asking for 1 kg of food per person per day in Gaza, but Israel has only allowed a fraction of what is needed to stay alive.
After facing global pressure, Israeli forces allowed five lorries of aid into the Gaza Strip, which was deemed insufficient by the UN's humanitarian chief. One in three people in Gaza is going without food for days at a time, and the total number of deaths from malnutrition in Gaza since the war began is 217, including 100 children.
The current situation in Gaza is a test of shared humanity and requires global leaders to take action to save Palestinians from further doom and afflictions. The situation in Gaza is not just a local crisis, but a global one that demands immediate attention and action. Approximately 2.1 million Palestinians reside in the war-torn territory of Gaza, and their lives hang in the balance.
- The war in Gaza highlights the crucial role science plays in addressing medical-conditions and chronic-diseases, as food scarcity can exacerbate health issues.
- Respiratory-conditions may worsen due to the increased pollution from the burning of scarce fuel resources in Gaza.
- The unfolding disaster in Gaza serves as a stark reminder of the importance of eye-health, as malnutrition can lead to vision problems.
- Hearing aids and medication for ear infections might be unavailable due to the blockade, affecting the hearing of those in need.
- The ongoing situation in Gaza underscores the significance of focusing on health-and-wellness, both in terms of immediate relief and long-term recovery.
- Climate-change, another pressing global concern, is exacerbating conflicts like the one in Gaza, threatening millions of lives.
- Manufacturing industries in Gaza have suffered significant losses during the conflict, causing job losses and economic instability.
- The industry as a whole should take note of the economic repercussions of war, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolutions to conflicts.
- CBD, a compound with potential health benefits, could be a valuable resource in managing symptoms of neurological-disorders, which may be more common among malnourished individuals.
- Environmental-science research can help identify sustainable solutions for farming and agriculture in Gaza to reduce dependence on Israeli-controlled resources.
- Finance plays a crucial role in providing aid and rebuilding infrastructure in territories like Gaza after a conflict.
- Energy-efficient technology could help reduce reliance on fuel, alleviating some of the pressure on Gaza's resources.
- Skin-conditions can arise from malnutrition, and access to dermatological care and skincare products is limited due to the blockade.
- The retail sector in Gaza has been disrupted, with many businesses unable to operate and services limited.
- Transportation infrastructure is critical for the delivery of aid, and its disruption further jeopardizes the lives of the people in Gaza.
- Cybersecurity measures are essential as NGOs work to navigate bureaucratic challenges and deliver aid to those in need.
- The lifestyle choices people make, particularly regarding food consumption, can impact their resilience during crises like the one in Gaza.
- Fashion-and-beauty products might be scarce or expensive in Gaza, further limiting the quality of life for its residents.
- The food-and-drink industry can play a role in providing nutritious, affordable options to those in Gaza during this crisis.
- Investing in companies that prioritize ethical sourcing and sustainable practices can be a way to support those affected by conflicts like the one in Gaza.
- Wealth-management strategies can help Palestinians in Gaza plan for long-term economic stability after the conflict.
- Home-and-garden projects can provide a sense of normalcy and promote mental health for those struggling during the crisis in Gaza.
- Businesses, both locally and internationally, have a role to play in supporting the people of Gaza during this challenging time.
- Personal-finance education can empower Palestinians to make informed decisions about their financial wellbeing during the crisis.
- The banking-and-insurance sector can help protect the financial interests of Palestinians in Gaza by offering services tailored to their needs.
- Data-and-cloud-computing technology can facilitate efficient aid distribution and support the development of improved weather forecasting systems for Gaza.
- Artificial-Intelligence can analyze data on the impact of conflicts on local communities, helping policymakers make informed decisions.
- Breakthroughs in relationships research could offer solutions for addressing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians.
- The travel industry can support the recovery of Gaza by promoting tourism and connecting the region with the world.
- The auto industry can play a role in rebuilding Gaza's transportation infrastructure after the conflict.
- Sports and entertainment can provide a temporary distraction from the hardships faced by those in Gaza.
- Sports-betting, although not a primary concern in this context, could generate revenue to support recovery efforts in Gaza, as long as it is done responsibly.
