Food Provision Secures Privileges for Certain Individuals

Food Provision Secures Privileges for Certain Individuals

The situation in Gaza is reaching a critical point, with the United Nations and humanitarian agencies sounding the alarm over a potential famine. Two out of three famine indicators—plummeting food consumption and acute malnutrition—have already been exceeded, pushing the territory towards famine conditions.

Over one-third of the population is facing days without eating, and nearly 500,000 people suffer famine-like conditions. Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled, reaching 16.5% in Gaza City, a critical level signaling elevated mortality risk.

This crisis is driven by relentless conflict, massive displacement, and the near-total collapse of essential services, compounded by severe restrictions on humanitarian access. Since late 2024, infrastructure destruction amounts to about 70%, further aggravating food insecurity.

Humanitarian food aid delivery is severely impacted by the blockade and conflict. Although some food aid shipments have resumed—at least 12,000 metric tons of food reached Gaza between 20 July and 3 August 2025—the volume is insufficient compared to previous levels, with community meal preparation down by 74% from April levels. Aid distribution is hindered by violence, theft, and casualties among civilians trying to reach food supplies, with over 1,500 fatalities linked to aid routes reported from late May to early August 2025.

Malnutrition-related deaths have surged, with 74 deaths recorded in 2025 alone, 63 occurring in July, including many children under five suffering from severe wasting. The Global Acute Malnutrition rate has tripled in Gaza City since June 2025 and doubled in other parts within a month, likely understated due to access constraints hindering health facility visits.

The blockade and conflict have critically restricted food availability and humanitarian aid delivery, triggering a humanitarian catastrophe marked by widespread starvation, malnutrition, and infrastructure collapse. UN agencies and partners call for an immediate end to hostilities and unfettered humanitarian access to prevent further deterioration and save lives.

The crisis in Gaza echoes the horrors of the past, reminding some of the Warsaw ghetto, where 92,000 Jews died of starvation before 300,000 were deported to camps. The parallels are not lost on some Jewish Holocaust survivors, who identify with the images of Gaza's destruction and feel compelled to use strong language in condemnation.

The Israeli government claims there is no starvation in Gaza, but international and internal pressure has led to pauses in fighting and minimal air drops to address the issue. However, there is a lack of enough food reaching people in Gaza, even after Israel eased its blockade. The Israeli government argues that this is a war of defense, which has led to the siege of Gaza's already limited clean water supply.

The author believes that the long story of Jewish suffering resulted in an attempt to solve "the Jewish Problem" by creating a Palestinian Problem. They argue that food and water for all must come before security for some, implying that Israeli and American institutions must be willing to sacrifice some security in the name of ensuring hungry people are fed.

The designation of genocide would theoretically oblige the international community to act with sanctions or criminal prosecution for those responsible. However, such a designation is a complex and contentious issue, with scholars and policymakers debating its implications and the appropriate response.

Mothers in Gaza stretch meager ingredients where they can, but say hunger persists. The memories of those who have suffered from hunger—whether in the Warsaw ghetto or in Gaza today—serve as a stark reminder of the essential dignity of every human being and the importance of addressing the root causes of hunger and conflict.

[1] UN OCHA, "Gaza Crisis: Humanitarian Update No. 37," 3 August 2025. [2] UNICEF, "Gaza: 5,000 children diagnosed with malnutrition in May 2025," 1 June 2025. [3] WHO, "Gaza: Acute Malnutrition Triples in Gaza City," 15 July 2025. [4] AP News, "Over 1,500 killed trying to reach food in Gaza since May," 8 August 2025. [5] Reuters, "UN calls for immediate end to Gaza hostilities as crisis deepens," 4 August 2025.

1. The editorial calls for an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza to prevent further deterioration and save lives, as the crisis mirrors the horrors of the Warsaw ghetto.
2. The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm over a potential famine in Gaza, with one-third of the population facing days without eating.
3. Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in Gaza City, triggering a humanitarian catastrophe marked by widespread starvation, malnutrition, and infrastructure collapse.
4. Humanitarian food aid delivery is severely impacted by the blockade and conflict in Gaza, leading to a 74% decline in community meal preparation from April levels.
5. Infrastructure destruction in Gaza amounts to about 70%, further aggravating food insecurity and hindering aid distribution, which is hindered by violence, theft, and casualties.
6. The Israeli government admits to restrictions on humanitarian access in Gaza, impacting food availability and aid delivery and leading to malnutrition-related deaths.
7. Scholars and policymakers debate the designation of genocide in Gaza, which would obligate the international community to act with sanctions or criminal prosecution for those responsible.

Read also: