11 Months Into the Conflict, Hunger Crisis Continues for Palestinians in Gaza

Nearly a year into the ongoing war, Palestinians in Gaza continue to face a severe hunger crisis. Learn more about the humanitarian situation and the efforts being made to provide aid.

In a camp located in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, both adults and children hurriedly seek to obtain a scant supply of food.

Since October 7, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization, along with other organizations, has reported extensive damage to the region’s food system, affecting both agricultural land and fishing resources.

“Life here is extremely challenging. We are struggling in every aspect, from securing nylon, tents, water, and food. Currently, we rely on charitable food donations, which are sometimes inadequate. Nevertheless, we are thankful to God that our situation is relatively better than that of others.”

“Water is available for only one hour at a time, followed by an hour of cutoff. It has been a year filled with suffering, the extent of which only God truly understands.”

In a conflict that has rendered many without financial resources, food donations serve as a crucial lifeline.

Additionally, Gaza is facing a cash crisis as major banks have ceased operations.

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However, Israel permits the entry of aid trucks through only three crossings, including two smaller ones in the northern part of the enclave and one in the south, known as Kerem Shalom.

U.N. experts indicated in July that “famine has spread from northern Gaza to encompass central and southern Gaza.”

According to the Palestinian news agency Wafa, the Israeli military actions in the territory have resulted in the deaths of 41,431 Palestinians and injuries to 95,818 others.

Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire have not succeeded in bridging the divide between the conflicting parties.

Allegations of a “starvation campaign” have emerged, with the U.N. independent investigator on the right to food accusing Israel of implementing such a campaign against Palestinians during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, a claim that Israel strongly refutes.

In a report released on September 4, investigator Michael Fakhri noted that the situation deteriorated two days after Hamas’s unexpected attack in southern Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities, when Israel’s military response effectively blocked all food, water, fuel, and other essential supplies from entering Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized the allegations of Israel restricting humanitarian aid as “outrageously false.”

Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice mandated that Israel must ensure “unhindered” access for food aid into Gaza.

In response to significant international pressure, Netanyahu’s administration has gradually permitted the opening of several border crossings for strictly regulated aid deliveries. Fakhri noted that the initial aid primarily reached southern and central Gaza, rather than the northern regions where Israel had instructed Palestinians to relocate.

“By December, 80% of the global population facing famine or severe hunger consisted of Palestinians in Gaza,” Fakhri stated. “Never in the post-war era has a population been subjected to such rapid and total deprivation as the 2.3 million Palestinians residing in Gaza.”

The university professor attributes this situation to events dating back to 1948, highlighting Israel’s ongoing displacement of Palestinians. He further accused Israel of employing a comprehensive array of strategies aimed at inducing hunger and starvation among the Palestinian population, thereby refining its capacity to exert control, inflict suffering, and cause death through manipulation of food resources.