Gaza’s Fertile Ground for Suffering: A Starvation Campaign Unfolds

In the Gaza Strip, a desperate scene unfolds in a camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, where adults and children rush to secure a meager portion of food. Since October 7, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization and others have documented the destruction of the territory’s food system, including farmland and fishing. This has left many Palestinians, including children, without a steady supply of basic necessities.

"We suffered in all aspects, from providing nylon, tents, water, and food. Today we get food from charity, which some days are not good. But we’re grateful to God our situation is better than others," said a local resident. Water is available for only an hour a day, and then it’s cut off for an hour, creating a sense of desperation in the community.

In this war-torn region, food donations have become a lifeline, but it’s a limited resource controlled by Israel. According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, the Israeli operation has killed 41,431 Palestinians and wounded 95,818 others. Cease-fire talks have been ongoing for months, but no agreement has been reached.

The United Nations Independent Investigator on the Right to Food, Michael Fakhri, has accused Israel of carrying out a "starvation campaign" against Palestinians during the war in Gaza. In his report, Fakhri stated that Israel’s military offensive in response to a surprise attack by Hamas had blocked all food, water, fuel, and other supplies into Gaza. As a result, Palestinians were left without access to essential goods.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied the accusations, calling them "outrageously false." However, Fakhri’s report highlighted the stark reality of the situation on the ground. By December, Palestinians in Gaza were experiencing famine or catastrophic hunger at an alarming rate, with 80% of the global total.

Fakhri’s investigation revealed that the Israeli government had ordered Palestinians to leave their homes, leading to a massive displacement of people. This is not a new tactic for Israel, according to the professor, who claims that it dates back to 1948 and Israel’s continuous dislocation of Palestinians.

The situation in Gaza is dire, with water and electricity supplies severely disrupted. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization has repeatedly called for Israel to ease its blockade and allow food aid to reach the devastated region. Despite international pressure, the situation remains unresolved, leaving Palestinians to endure a year of suffering.