Israel's responsibility for the hunger crisis in Gaza is questionable, argues Washington Post op-ed
In a recent op-ed published by The Washington Post, Marc A. Thiessen argues that Israel is not responsible for the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza. Thiessen, a renowned commentator, attributes the humanitarian crisis primarily to the actions of Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza.
According to Thiessen, Hamas's deliberate strategy, including its control over food distribution and the use of hostages, is the primary cause of the crisis. He cites instances where Hamas has released photos of well-fed terrorists alongside emaciated Israeli hostages, highlighting the disparity in food access.
Thiessen contends that blaming Israel for the hunger reflects "a stunning level of moral blindness" and instead lays responsibility on Hamas. He argues that Israel is providing humanitarian aid to the Gazan population, even during the ongoing conflict.
The op-ed reports that Israel has provided 1,829,520 meals to Gazans through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. These meals, enough to feed nearly the entire Gazan population, are a testament to Israel's efforts to alleviate the crisis.
However, Thiessen also notes that the op-ed does not claim that Israel is the only party providing aid to Gazans. He suggests that Israel is doing something extraordinary by feeding the Gazan population during ongoing conflict, a feat that no nation, as far as the op-ed is concerned, has ever been expected to do.
The op-ed also counters claims that Israel is deliberately causing starvation in Gaza, stating that Israel is feeding the Gazan population while the war is still going on. Thiessen further asserts that no nation has ever fed the population of an aggressor force that attacked it while the war is still ongoing.
Thiessen mentions that certain governments, including France, Canada, Britain, Ireland, Spain, and Norway, have shown support for the establishment of a Palestinian State. He also suggests that Hamas's strategy of continuing to fight despite the suffering of the people of Gaza is central to their strategy of survival and appears effective in gaining coverage by Western media outlets.
The Washington Post published Thiessen's op-ed, titled "Hunger in Gaza has many authors, but Israel isn't one of them," on Tuesday. The article sparked a heated debate, with readers expressing their views on both sides of the argument.
[1] Thiessen, M. A. (2022). Hunger in Gaza has many authors, but Israel isn't one of them. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/26/hunger-gaza-has-many-authors-but-israel-isnt-one-them/
- Despite a heated debate, the op-ed by Thiessen in The Washington Post suggests that politics, war-and-conflicts, and general-news outlets often overlook Israel's efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gazans, even during ongoing conflict.
- Thiessen asserts that although certain governments support the establishment of a Palestinian State, it's crucial to recognize that war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news should also acknowledge Hamas's role in the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza, as these factors contribute to the complex situation.
