Families residing in northern Gaza are being compelled to survive on a daily diet that consists of less than a can of fava beans, according to a report by Oxfam. The situation is dire, with senior UN officials highlighting the prevalence of malnourished newborns who weigh just over a kilo, barely surpassing the weight of a typical fava bean.
Over 300,000 individuals are still thought to be trapped in the northern part of the besieged strip. This area has experienced the most severe impact of Israel’s relentless bombardment, with little to no access to aid.
According to Amitabh Behar, the international executive director of Oxfam, Israel is intentionally choosing to deprive civilians of basic necessities.
“Put yourself in the shoes of someone who not only has to struggle to survive on a mere 245 calories per day, but also has to witness their children or elderly loved ones endure the same hardship.”
Several aid agencies have expressed their intentions to withdraw from Gaza due to concerns about the safety of their staff. This decision comes after Israeli forces acknowledged that they were responsible for the deaths of seven employees from the food charity World Central Kitchen (WCK) in a drone attack. It is worth noting that the aid workers were traveling in a deconflicted area. In response to these events, Israel has made a commitment to open three new aid corridors.
According to him, one-third of all children in Gaza who are under the age of two suffer from malnutrition.
After visiting Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few remaining facilities in the war-torn north that provides medical care to newborns and children, he expressed his concern about the urgent need for food assistance to address the famine. He emphasized that the current situation is marked by immense hardship and suffering.
Aid agencies are now concerned that starvation will become the next deadly threat in the beleaguered strip. According to a report supported by the United Nations, over a million people are currently experiencing severe levels of hunger.
Israel has faced numerous allegations from various UN agencies and aid groups regarding its role in causing a “man-made famine” in Gaza. These accusations stem from the restrictions imposed by Israel on the flow of aid into and through Gaza. For instance, aid shipments at the southern entry point from Egypt have been halted, while convoys heading to the north have been either barred or forced to turn back.
Israel has consistently denied the existence of famine in Gaza and has refuted allegations that it is employing hunger as a weapon of war. Cogat, the defense ministry organization responsible for coordinating with the Palestinians, has repeatedly conveyed to The Independent that there are no restrictions on the delivery of aid to Gaza.
Under intense international pressure, particularly from its closest ally, the United States, the Israeli government made the decision on Friday to reopen its initial land crossing into northern Gaza. As a temporary measure, supplies for the territory will also be allowed to enter through the port of Ashdod in southern Israel.
According to Oxfam’s analysis, the severe restriction on food and medical supplies has resulted in families in northern Gaza surviving on just a few hundred calories per day since January. This dire situation has led to the starvation and malnutrition of children, further exacerbated by the prevalence of disease.
Israel is making deliberate choices to starve civilians
Amitabh Behar, the international executive director of Oxfam, emphasized the importance of addressing global inequality.
According to Oxfam, the destruction of civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals, water and sanitation services, and community health support, has worsened hunger and its consequences. This has made people even more susceptible to diseases.
Gaza’s agriculture industry has suffered extensive destruction, resulting in limited availability of fruits and vegetables at exorbitant prices. Moreover, it is challenging or even impossible to find specialized nutrition products and centers to cater to malnourished children.
Mr. McGoldrick expressed concern about the limited access to aid and emphasized the urgent need for security and protection for aid agencies.
