The leader of the World Food Program, Cindy McCain, has stated that parts of the Gaza Strip are experiencing a “full-blown famine” that is spreading across the territory after almost seven months of war have made delivering aid extremely challenging. Although an official declaration of famine has not been made, McCain’s assessment is based on what she has seen and experienced on the ground. The hunger crisis is most severe in the strip’s northern section, where the Israeli military exercises little control. Recent aid efforts have seen more aid flowing into the devastated area in response to mounting global pressure.
Negotiations have resumed in Cairo to reach a cease-fire and an agreement to release Israeli and Palestinian hostages. Hamas has expressed openness to discussing the Israeli-approved offer, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken stating that the only thing standing between a cease-fire and the people of Gaza is Hamas. Hamas officials have traveled to Cairo with a positive attitude towards a proposed deal and have blamed any lack of agreement on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite this, a truce is not expected to be imminent, with the approval of Hamas leading to intensive negotiations on the details of a cease-fire.
McCain has emphasized the urgent need for a cease-fire to help ease conditions in Gaza, particularly in the north where famine is most severe. The region has been grappling with a severe human-made hunger crisis due to Israel’s bombardment and restrictions that have made delivering aid difficult. Despite recent increases in aid entering Gaza, aid groups say it is still far from adequate. Israel’s policies regarding aid have been criticized by the U.N. human rights chief, potentially amounting to a war crime under the Rome Statute. The New York Times reported that senior Israeli officials could face arrest warrants over accusations of preventing aid delivery to Gaza.
Conditions remain life-threatening for many Gazans, especially children, as malnutrition and related causes have led to the deaths of at least 28 children under 12 in Gaza hospitals. The reopening of the Erez border crossing has allowed some aid to flow directly into northern Gaza, leading to improvements in the availability and cost of essential goods like flour and canned goods. However, more aid is still needed to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Foreign officials and aid agencies have acknowledged the progress but stress that more efforts are required to alleviate the suffering of Gazans.
The issue of famine in Gaza has garnered attention from high-profile American officials including McCain and Samantha Power, the director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Declarations of famine are made by a United Nations agency in conjunction with the government of the affected country and are based on measured rates of hunger, malnutrition, and death. This has raised concerns about the prolonged conflict and the impact on civilians, especially vulnerable populations like children. Efforts to reach a cease-fire and ensure the delivery of adequate aid are ongoing, with international pressure mounting on all parties involved to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
