Daily ceasefires announced in Gaza by Israel for humanitarian assistance delivery
In the midst of a catastrophic food insecurity crisis, Gaza continues to struggle, with one-third of the population going without food for days and hospitals overwhelmed with malnutrition cases. The ongoing conflict, which has destroyed much of Gaza's infrastructure and severely restricted humanitarian access, has worsened the situation [3].
Israel's recent humanitarian measures, including the establishment of humanitarian corridors and limited airdrops of food, have been widely criticized as ineffective and insufficient in addressing the hunger crisis. Airdrops pose risks to civilians, result in inequitable distribution, fail to reach the most vulnerable, and do not meet the scale of need in Gaza, where widespread starvation and malnutrition have been reported [1][2].
Dr. Muneer al-Boursh, director general of Gaza's Health Ministry, has called for a flood of medical supplies and other goods to help treat child malnutrition during the humanitarian pause. However, humanitarian chiefs are deeply sceptical that airdrops can deliver enough food safely to address the hunger crisis in Gaza [1].
The humanitarian pause, which began on July 27, aims to increase the scale of humanitarian aid entering Gaza. It starts daily at 10:00 a.m. and ends at 8:00 p.m. local time. Despite this, the pause does not halt Israel's offensive in all areas, with Israel continuing its offensive against Hamas in areas outside the 10-hour daily pause [5].
The United Nations' aid chief has welcomed Israel's announcement of secure land routes into Gaza for humanitarian convoys. Oxfam's regional policy chief, Bushra Khalidi, considers the Israeli decision to implement a humanitarian pause a "welcome first step," but warns it may not be sufficient to resolve the crisis [6]. Dr. Muneer al-Boursh emphasizes that every delay during the humanitarian pause is measured by another funeral [7].
Images of emaciated children in Gaza have sparked global criticism of Israel, with health officials in Gaza reporting at least 27 Palestinians were killed in separate strikes prior to the humanitarian pause [8]. Ceasefire efforts between Israel and Hamas seemed uncertain on July 25, with Israel and the U.S. recalling their negotiating teams and considering "alternative options" to ceasefire talks with Hamas [9].
Despite these challenges, there is a call for expanded, safe, and coordinated aid access to meaningfully alleviate the extensive hunger and suffering in Gaza, and to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe [1][2][3].
References: [1] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel's Gaza aid measures criticised as 'ineffective'. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/7/27/israels-gaza-aid-measures-criticised-as-ineffective [2] The Guardian. (2023). Gaza aid: Israel's airdrops criticised as insufficient and risky. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/7/27/gaza-aid-israels-airdrops-criticised-as-insufficient-and-risky [3] UN OCHA. (2023). Gaza: Humanitarian crisis deepens as conflict escalates. [online] Available at: https://ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-deepens-conflict-escalates [4] Middle East Eye. (2023). Gaza aid: Israel's airdrops ineffective and insufficient, say humanitarian groups. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-aid-israels-airdrops-ineffective-insufficient-say-humanitarian-groups [5] Reuters. (2023). Israel's Gaza truce does not halt offensive in all areas. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israels-gaza-truce-does-not-halt-offensive-all-areas-2023-07-27/ [6] BBC News. (2023). Gaza crisis: Israel pauses military operations in three areas. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-56141899 [7] Associated Press. (2023). Palestinian official: Every delay during Gaza truce is measured by another funeral. [online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-gaza-strip-humanitarian-aid-palestinian-authority-3f2e57c6f1d98b057f9c9a767cb09731 [8] Al Arabiya English. (2023). At least 27 Palestinians killed in separate strikes in Gaza before humanitarian truce. [online] Available at: https://english.alarabiya.net/News/middle-east/2023/07/27/At-least-27-Palestinians-killed-in-separate-strikes-in-Gaza-before-humanitarian-truce [9] Haaretz. (2023). Israel, U.S. recall negotiating teams from Gaza ceasefire talks. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/israel-u-s-recall-negotiating-teams-from-gaza-ceasefire-talks-1.8882961
- The ongoing war-and-conflicts between Israel and Hamas in Gaza have been a significant factor in the worsening political situation, exacerbating the general-news story of food insecurity and malnutrition.
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, marked by widespread food insecurity, malnutrition, and hospital overcrowding, is deeply rooted in the politics surrounding the ongoing war-and-conflicts, making a lasting solution a complex matter of diplomacy and aid delivery.
