The food crisis has mounted in Gaza amidst the war, leading to concerns. According to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, the food crisis has turned out to be unprecedented in Gaza, currently the world’s worst. In northern Gaza, where the food crisis is at its worst, hundreds of thousands are starving and the UN has warned of a risk of famine. About half a million people are at risk of famine if the food is not delivered to Gaza. Many residents have resorted to grinding animal feed into flour to survive. Consequently, many Gazans are at risk of dying too due to the lack of food.
It is notable that global efforts have been continuing to provide food to Gaza since the beginning of the Gaza war, which has killed more than 30,000 so far. But they were less from the very beginning driven by several causes including Israel’s denial of access to food aid. Also, the aid agencies have been struggling for more than a week to provide food to the people of Gaza driven by increased chaos, gunfire and looting — which has also caused air dropping of food aid — in Gaza. The World Food Programme has already stopped food aid, crucial for the survival of the people in Gaza. Additionally, there is limited aid assistance from different countries and aid agencies and low commercial supplies to Gaza. Despite repeated announcements, there has been no improvement in the quantity of supplies getting to desperate civilians.
But Israel’s restrictions on access to food supplies, probably driven by its deliberate war strategy, are definitely the main cause of the extent food crisis amidst the months-long war. Israel has been continuously banning/restricting food aid and essential commercial goods from entering Gaza from the beginning of the war. According to Ocha, the UN’s humanitarian coordination agency, more than half of the aid missions to northern Gaza were denied access in January 2024 by Israel, the indiscriminate firing of which on Palestinians waiting for food aid killed more than one hundred this week. Additionally, there is increasing interference from Israeli forces in terms of how and where aid is delivered, leading to avoidable hindrances to food aid.
It is definitely inhuman to let the Gazans die because of the lack of food. Given the problem on the ground, the air dropping of food by several countries such as the UK, the US, France and Jordan is a good step and will be helpful. But it is vital to restore access to food aid on the ground and continue it unless the Gaza war ends. For this, steps need to be boosted up by aid agencies and countries. But opening new entry routes, allowing more trucks through border checks each day and limiting restrictions and improving security on the movement of humanitarian activists are crucial.
It is definitely desired that the restrictions on food aid be withdrawn by Israel — which is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians of Gaza. But in addition to food aid, commercial supplies need to be ensured. According to ReliefWeb, the number of trucks entering Gaza has reduced to only a fifth of the trucks that entered daily before 7 October, leading to Gaza’s markets being almost empty and the spiraling price of what little food is available. Also, efforts need to be strengthened to end the Gaza war.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
