Israel Responds to Calls for Aid in Gaza Amidst Growing Hunger Crisis
The Israeli military recently air-dropped humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. This action comes on the heels of international pressure and a severe hunger crisis in the Palestinian territory. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement on Sunday, where they detailed the contents of the airdrop, which included seven aid packages of flour, sugar, and canned food.
An Open Path for International Aid
Israel had previously expressed its willingness to open humanitarian corridors allowing UN convoys to access Gaza. This came amidst mounting calls for Israel to increase aid supply to Gaza and warnings of mass starvation due to months of limited supply to the region’s two million inhabitants. However, Israel rebuked what it described as “the false claim of deliberate starvation” in Gaza.
Coordinated Efforts and the Reaction of Palestinian Officials
The IDF stated that the airdrop was carried out in coordination with international organizations led by Cogat, the Israeli military body that supervises aid entry into Gaza. The military also shared a video allegedly showing the airdrop, although the footage has yet to be independently verified. Palestinian officials have yet to comment on the reported airdrop into Gaza.
Improving the Humanitarian Response and Resuming Power Supply
On Saturday night, the IDF announced the commencement of a series of actions aimed at improving the humanitarian response in Gaza, including the implementation of humanitarian pauses in densely populated areas. Alongside these efforts, the IDF confirmed its resumption of power supply to a desalination plant in Gaza, which is expected to serve approximately 900,000 residents.
Restrictions and Resumption on Supply to Gaza
Earlier this year, Israel had severed all supplies to Gaza from the start of March, only to resume in May with new restrictions. Despite these restrictions, Israel, along with the US, supported the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) and permitted it to operate within Gaza. Disturbingly, there have been almost daily reports of Palestinians getting killed while seeking aid since the GHF began operations in late May.
International Call for Unrestricted Aid Delivery
Several international organizations, including the UN, as well as some of Israel’s allies, have blamed the nation for the escalating food crisis in Gaza. They’ve urged for unrestricted entry and delivery of aid, especially as the Hamas-run health ministry reports rising death tolls due to malnutrition. The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has described the crisis as “man-made mass starvation”.
UNRWA’s Appeal and Local Concerns
Despite Israel’s recent steps, many feel it’s not enough. The head of the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, Philippe Lazzarini, argued that airdrops are “expensive, inefficient, and can even kill starving civilians” if not properly executed. He appealed to Israel to “lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need”. Meanwhile, locals voiced concerns about the potential for harm from airdrops.
Ongoing Struggles in Gaza
As the Gaza Strip grapples with a severe hunger crisis, the people are also battling dehydration. One resident lamented, “we’re living with no food or drink, no food, no bread, not even water.” This precarious situation follows a war launched by Israel in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which tragically resulted in the loss of numerous lives and taken hostages.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry, the death toll in Gaza has surpassed 59,000 since the onset of the war. The international community continues to watch and advocate for comprehensive humanitarian aid to alleviate the dire situation in Gaza.
