Intro 

Many people living in Gaza including mothers are finding it difficult to find clean water. This includes drinking, bathing, and baby formula. Families have been selling their possessions to buy sacks of four, while others are eating animal feed to survive. 

In the northern city of Beit Lahia, Mahmoud Shalabi, 38, said his neighbors have brought cattle feed to a mill to grind for flour. It is barely edible, said Shalabi whose children are 7 and 9, but it is preferable to starvation. “If you find it now,” he told New York Times, “you will be able to have something to eat and feed your kids.” 

According to the U.N. nearly all households in Gaza have been skipping meals. Bob Kitchen of the International Rescue Committee said “It is the most intense hunger crisis I have ever seen.” He added, “Almost everyone is now hungry.”

The Siege

Gaza’s food shortage stems mostly from Israel’s blockade, which has been happening since October of last year. Gaza’s economy depends on imports of food, meaning Israel having a limited flow of goods into Gaza is a major concern for all. After the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2024, Israel ordered what its defense minister called a “complete siege” of Gaza. The goal was to both weaken Hamas fighters and to ensure that no military supplies could enter. Israeli officials claim that they are still allowing food and other humanitarian supplies to enter, but have not been distributing them efficiently. 

Israel’s government recently posted a video of aid trucks sitting idle at Gaza’s border and wrote, “Stop spreading accusations and start doing your job.” Israel has also accused employees of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and began investigating these accusations. In a ruling on Friday, the International Court of Justice found that many people in Gaza have “no access to the most basic foodstuffs, potable water, electricity, essential medicines or heating.” Hamas and Egypt also hold blame for the food crisis, since they have been found to be keeping a large stockpile of food, fuel, and medicine for the group’s own members to use. 

Conclusion

Though these court rulings, Gaza is still in their hunger crisis. Our hearts go out to those suffering from these conditions, and hope a conclusion is found. 

Cites

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