ALBAWABA - The Gaza Strip is going through a terrible humanitarian disaster. There isn't enough food for everyone, and more and more people are dying from not getting enough food.
Even though there are many signs of famine, the UN has not yet officially declared Gaza a famine-stricken area. This has raised questions about the delay, especially since the Israeli blockade is still keeping essential aid from getting to civilians.
The UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) says that Israel is purposely starving the people of Gaza, including one million children. According to the Government Media Office of Gaza, over 650,000 children are in danger of dying from hunger, and 60,000 pregnant women are in situations that could kill them. UNICEF also revealed that 112 children are admitted to hospitals every day because they are severely malnourished. At least 620 children have died because of hunger, and 70 of those deaths happened just in June.
Reports from the ground show that people are passing out in the streets because they are hungry, and Gaza's health care system and access to clean water keep getting worse.
Blockade on purpose and stopped aid
Since breaking a ceasefire deal in March, Israel has made it very hard for humanitarian help to get in. The "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," which is connected to the United States, took over distributing aid in May. Since then, there has been a lot of chaos and violence, with about 1,000 Palestinians killed and thousands more hurt when Israeli forces allegedly opened fire near aid centers.
UN Inaction and Delays in Classifying Famine
Even though the UN has warned many times and said that everyone in Gaza is at risk of going hungry, no public statement has been made. Experts say the delay could be because Israel doesn't let UN agencies work in the area or because there are disagreements over whether the official standards for famine have been met.
People who fight for human rights, like Salah Abdel Ati, say that the UN's wait is not necessary. He and others say that Gaza is already going through "catastrophic hunger," which is the fifth and worst level on the UN's scale for food security.
All of these things are true, according to experts, for Gaza. The problem is made even worse by things like the collapse of the healthcare system, the damage to housing and roads, the lack of clean water, high unemployment, and rising food prices.
Effects on People and Social Collapse
More than 70 children under five have died in the last few weeks, making them the most vulnerable group. Medicine shortages and poor nutrition are making things worse for the elderly and chronically sick. Women who are pregnant are more likely to have a loss, give birth early, or have a baby with a defect.
A lot of people having to move, infrastructure being destroyed, and social ties breaking down are all adding to the mental toll. Experts say that people who are hungry and desperate could fight with each other in communities as they struggle for limited resources.
Calls for Quick Action
Experts in law and humanitarian aid say that the rest of the world, especially Arab and Islamic countries, hasn't done enough to get Israel to let aid in. The inclusion of humanitarian aid in political talks was also attacked, with some saying it was against international humanitarian law.
Representatives from UNRWA said again that sending help is still subject to Israeli approval. There have been some responses from European countries, but UNRWA stressed that promises made at the political level need to be carried out on the ground.
The situation in Gaza keeps getting worse, even though people are getting more and more angry. The lack of a formal declaration of famine could make the international reaction even longer.
