MASS STARVATION IN GAZA
After Hamas emerged from the concentration camp that Israel had made of Gaza on October 7 and perpetrated its mass atrocity on Israeli civilians and military personnel, Israeli officials made their intentions of imposing mass starvation on Gazans unambiguously clear. Yoav Gallant, then Defence Minister, announced and immediately implemented Israel’s policy of mass starvation which has been sustained until today, except for the brief period of the ceasefire between January and March. He said: “I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we are acting accordingly.”
Since then, there has been no shortage of statements from Israeli officials and news from the killing grounds of Gaza about Israel’s intentions to perpetrate a genocide with the objective of ethnically cleansing Gaza. Western governments have been fully aware of Israel’s declared intentions but have continued to supply arms. Both have steered clear of accusing Israel of genocide and ethnic cleansing even in the face of overwhelming evidence. Both attribute Israel’s actions to its right to self defence against Hamas.
That there has been mass starvation has been confirmed by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Its director, Dr. Tedros Adhonom Ghebreyesus said last week: “As you know, mass starvation means starvation of a large proportion of the population, and a large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don’t know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and its man-made. And that’s very clear, that’s because of the blockade.”
Exposure of what is going on in Gaza by intrepid Gazan journalists, hundreds of whom have been killed by Israeli bombardment, have forced a reluctant West to say, not do, something. Twenty-five countries, including Britain, France and Canada have criticized the “inhumane killing” of Palestinians. They condemned the “drip feeding” of Palestinians as “horrifying,” noting that more than 800 have been killed at food distribution sites of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation managed by Israel and the US. They said that the aid distribution system is dangerous, creates instability and deprives Gazans of “human dignity.” The statement continued: “The suffering of civilians in Gaza has reached new depths.” Some of these countries have an intelligence sharing alliance with Israel. They therefore have the possibility of taking material steps against Israel by discontinuing cooperation until the situation improves. It is well known that Israel ignores criticisms that have no sanctions behind them, just as it will ignore this one. In the meantime, the United States, which is the only country that can influence Israel’s behaviour, remains silent and, when its officials speak, they blame Hamas.
A statement from 109 humanitarian organisations said: “Children tell their parents that they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food.” The statement said that doctors are recording acute rates of malnutrition, especially among children and old people; adults are collapsing on the streets from hunger and dehydration. The humanitarian organisations said “it is time for governments to take decisive action.” It urged states to “pursue concrete measures to end the siege, such as halting the transfer of weapons and ammunition.” They further urged: “Demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, lift all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions; open all land crossings; ensure access to everyone in all of Gaza; reject military-controlled distribution models; restore a principled UN-led humanitarian response and continue to fund principled and impartial humanitarian organisations.” Israel accused the organisations of serving the propaganda of Hamas.
A New York Times Report on Friday last, in an article headlined “Gazans are dying of starvation” said: “Hollow-eyed, skeletal children languish on hospital beds or are cared for by parents, who gaze helplessly at protruding ribs and shoulder blades, and emaciated limbs resembling brittle sticks. The haunting scenes are a stark contrast to the plenty that exists just a few miles away, across the borders with Israel and Egypt.” The report relates the stories of several families with children and others who are starving, including the doctors who are attending to them, who have families at home without food. However, like much of the Western press, the reporting is tentative. It validates both sides of the story but skillfully declines to commit to the real reason even though Israeli’s intentions have been announced from the outset. The report states: “The hunger crisis is the result of human failings, with each of the involved parties blaming someone else for the suffering. Israel’s responsibility for the starvation is, if not absolved, then certainly diminished, even in the face of Israel’s actions and statements by Israeli officials.
The solution to the crisis is clear to everyone – a ceasefire and the restoration of food supplies. The recent breakdown of negotiations, following the failure of discussion at the White House between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanhayu only means that more pressure must be exerted on the Israelis to end the war. Reports suggest that Hamas’s is insisting that the ceasefire be permanent and the Israeli troops be removed from Gaza. It would be suicide for Hamas and Gaza if it were otherwise.
