Gaza Faces Starvation as Aid Blockade Continues Amid Ceasefire Talks

Palestinians in Gaza are confronting a dire humanitarian crisis characterized by widespread starvation, even as supermarkets just a few kilometers away in Israel remain stocked with food. This stark contrast was highlighted by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) on Thursday, which expressed alarm over the situation. The agency reported that thousands of aid trucks are poised in neighboring countries, awaiting permission to deliver essential supplies to the beleaguered enclave.

UNRWA highlighted the severe shortages, stating, “People are being starved, while a few kilometers away supermarkets are loaded with food.” The organization called for the immediate lifting of the blockade and for aid to be allowed into Gaza “at scale.”

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The World Health Organization (WHO) also sounded the alarm, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus describing the situation as a man-made “mass starvation.” During a press briefing, Ghebreyesus emphasized the emotional toll on families, stating, “Parents tell us their children cry themselves to sleep from hunger.” He noted that food distribution sites have escalated into scenes of violence as desperation grows.

Ghebreyesus confirmed his agreement with over 100 aid organizations that classified the situation in Gaza as “mass starvation.” He elaborated, “A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don’t know what you’d call it other than mass starvation. And it is man-made.” He attributed this crisis to the ongoing blockade, which has limited the flow of aid.

The situation has led to tragic outcomes, with a recent UN report indicating that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed while seeking food since late May. The WHO chief’s comments follow a statement from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which has faced criticism for its management of aid distribution. The GHF has denied the UN’s casualty figures, calling them “false and exaggerated.”

Ceasefire Negotiations Under Pressure

As these humanitarian issues escalate, Hamas announced early Thursday that it has submitted a revised response to ceasefire mediators. This comes after the militant group received a proposal regarding ceasefire and hostage release discussions. Details of Hamas’s new proposal have not been disclosed, but an Egyptian source indicated that both Qatari and Egyptian negotiators had previously requested revisions to an earlier draft.

Negotiations have been marked by intense pressure from the United States, which has urged Israel to withdraw its troops from certain areas in southern Gaza. Sources familiar with the discussions reported that the U.S. has warned Hamas that time is running out for a response to the latest ceasefire framework. “We don’t have time,” one source stated, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution amidst the deteriorating conditions in Gaza.

In a related plea for humanitarian aid, the director of Al-Ahli Hospital in northern Gaza, Dr. Fadel Naim, called for a significant increase in aid deliveries. He stated that Gaza requires at least 1,500 aid trucks daily for a month to begin addressing the severe hunger crisis. On Wednesday, only around 70 trucks were unloaded at aid crossings. Prior to the conflict that escalated on October 7, 2023, an average of 500 to 600 trucks entered Gaza each day, according to UN data.

The health ministry in Gaza reported on Tuesday that approximately 900,000 children are experiencing hunger, with around 70,000 already exhibiting signs of malnutrition. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the demand for humanitarian assistance remains critical for the survival of the population in Gaza.