Death count in Gaza surges to 60,000; international watchdog urges immediate measures to prevent impending famine
In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza, the humanitarian situation is worsening by the day. Jolien Veldwijk, CARE Palestine Country Director, has warned that Palestinians are suffering a "manmade famine, caused by Israel's siege and the deliberate obstruction of aid, fuelled by the inaction of world leaders."
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has issued a stark warning about the potential famine in Gaza. According to the IPC's latest data, formal famine thresholds have already been reached for food consumption in most of Gaza, and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City. Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths in Gaza.
To end the suffering, immediate actions are needed. The IPC calls for an end to the hostilities in Gaza and for unimpeded, large-scale, life-saving humanitarian response. The critical immediate actions include:
- Reach and implement a ceasefire halting all hostilities. This would ideally last for at least 60 days, during which both sides halt military operations. Israel would withdraw to a buffer zone along Gaza's borders, and Hamas would agree to a pause in hostilities.
- Guarantee unimpeded humanitarian aid access coordinated by neutral agencies like UN agencies and the Palestinian Red Crescent. These agencies are critical for efficiently managing aid inside Gaza.
- Agree on prisoner and hostage exchanges to sustain peace efforts.
However, these steps face major obstacles. US and Israeli teams recently suspended ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas for not acting in good faith, while Hamas demands a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, which Israel refuses. Israel has also warned of punitive actions like territory annexation if no deal is reached soon, and continues restrictions on border crossings including Rafah.
Despite Israel’s announcement of limited military pauses to facilitate aid deliveries in some areas, the humanitarian situation remains dire with severe food shortages and risks of famine. The UN and international actors stress that ending the fighting is only part of the solution, emphasizing the need for broader political agreements for lasting peace and reconstruction.
The war in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, and has raged for 22 months. At least 147 people in Gaza have died of hunger, including 88 children, according to the Gaza health ministry. Nearly 470,000 people in Gaza are enduring famine-like conditions.
The World Food Programme (WFP) lacks the stocks or permissions to reopen the bakeries and community kitchens that were a lifeline before the total Israeli blockade began in May. The IPC is critical of GHF efforts, stating that most of the GHF food items require water and fuel to cook, which are largely unavailable.
The IPC's Famine Review Committee has said that their analysis of the food packages supplied by the GHF shows that their distribution plan would lead to mass starvation. The IPC's famine classification requires at least 20% of people to be suffering extreme food shortages, with one in three children acutely malnourished, and two people out of every 10,000 dying every day from starvation or malnutrition and disease.
David Miliband, head of the International Rescue Committee aid group, stated that "formal famine declarations always lag reality." The IPC raises the possibility that the manmade starvation crisis in Gaza could be formally classified as a famine. The IPC states that failure to act now could result in widespread death.
In summary, urgent action is needed to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The IPC's warnings and UN statements underscore the necessity of reaching and implementing a ceasefire, guaranteeing unimpeded humanitarian aid access, and agreeing on prisoner and hostage exchanges to end the suffering and prevent famine.
- The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has released a dire warning, suggesting that the situation in Gaza could escalate to a formal famine.
- Mental health concerns are rising amidst the ongoing war and conflict in Gaza, with the IPC warning of hunger-related deaths and increasing malnutrition rates.
- Science and nutrition play a significant role in addressing the unfolding crisis in Gaza, as the IPC highlights the severe food shortages and lack of essential resources like water and fuel for cooking.
- Politics and diplomacy are essential for resolving the ongoing conflict in Gaza, as ceasefire talks, prisoner and hostage exchanges, and broader political agreements are the key to preventing further suffering, hunger, and potential famine.
