Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: An Examination of Famine and Responsibility

The ongoing famine in Gaza, now acknowledged by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) as "entirely man-made," has sparked global outrage, raising crucial questions about the responsibility attributed to Israeli policies and the roles of various stakeholders amid a deteriorating situation for its residents.

Famine is now gripping Gaza, just a short distance from large caches of aid waiting at its borders. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), supported by the United Nations, reveals that approximately 500,000 individuals—around 25% of Gaza's population—are suffering from famine conditions. This alarming report emphasizes that the crisis is "entirely man-made," with accusations directed at Israel for systematically obstructing aid.

Residents of Gaza share haunting stories of children who have never tasted fruit and families grappling with starvation. Reports indicate that communities in Gaza City are facing severe conditions marked by starvation, malnutrition, and escalating mortality rates. Alarmingly, the IPC's criteria for declaring famine—extreme reductions in food access, malnutrition among children, and significant mortality rates—have all been met despite the challenges of monitoring in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vigorously denied the existence of starvation, attributing any hunger directly to Hamas and aid agency failures. To bolster this claim, Israel has pointed to the numerous trucks loaded with supplies stationed at the Gaza border, alleging that aid organizations are not effectively distributing these resources.

Conditions for Palestinians to obtain food have drastically worsened due to prolonged blockades, particularly following the onset of the war in October 2023. Israeli restrictions on goods intensified after the conflict began, culminating in a total blockade that severely limited food imports. Although some easing of restrictions occurred in May, a new system for food distribution, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), replaced the previous UN-led initiative, resulting in fewer, more dangerous access points for needy residents.

Reports indicate that attempts to access aid have often ended in violence, with many suffering fatal consequences near GHF distribution sites—a charge the Israeli government vehemently denies, while acknowledging that a significant number of civilians have died amid the chaos. Both the UN and various humanitarian organizations insist that despite some recent permission for aid to enter Gaza, significant barriers remain, with current aid deliveries still falling short of the volume necessary to prevent famine.

The humanitarian blockage has not gone unnoticed internationally, prompting responses from leaders and coalitions condemning the situation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated that Israel, designated as the occupying power, has certain humanitarian obligations that must be met. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy condemned the Israeli government's actions as morally unacceptable, positioning the famine as a direct consequence of restrictions on aid.

In light of this humanitarian catastrophe, Israel has intensified its military presence, deploying tens of thousands of reservists for an invasion of Gaza City, where famine conditions are reportedly most severe. Humanitarian agencies express deep concern that such military actions could exacerbate the already dire situation for civilians, particularly vulnerable populations who may lack the means or ability to evacuate.

As the crisis continues, the international community is left grappling with the complexities of blame and accountability in a situation defined by suffering, insecurity, and overwhelming humanitarian needs.