By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The head of the World Health Organization has declared that Gaza is experiencing man-made mass starvation due to the blockade of aid. Over 100 agencies have urged Israel to allow more supplies in, as they report that crucial aid is being blocked from reaching those in need, resulting in widespread death and starvation. With daily aid distribution drastically reduced from pre-war levels, the situation has worsened. While calls for a ceasefire are growing, and negotiations continue, the humanitarian crisis persists.
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Gaza suffering man-made mass starvation, says WHO chief, and it’s a truly heartbreaking reality we need to grapple with. It’s hard to know where to begin, because it feels like a convergence of so many terrible factors that have created this dire situation. But let’s start with the most pressing issue: people are starving.
The conversation often gets complicated, with fingers pointing in different directions. There is justifiable anger at Hamas, a group that has shown little regard for the well-being of the civilians they supposedly represent. There’s clear evidence that Hamas is actively hindering the flow of aid, even stealing it for their own purposes, and prioritizing their own power over the basic needs of the people. Reports indicate they are preventing Gazans from accessing aid centers, in a move that seems designed to keep them dependent on Hamas for survival, which strengthens Hamas’ position. This is a deeply cynical strategy, and it’s difficult to overstate the damage it’s doing.
However, while it is easy to place all the blame on Hamas, the situation goes deeper than that. There is the question of responsibility, especially from the perspective of international law. One of the core principles, often overlooked in the heat of this conflict, is that an occupying power bears the responsibility for the well-being of the civilian population in the occupied area. This principle has been upheld in numerous other conflicts throughout history, with examples like the aid provided to Iraq and Afghanistan, both during and after their respective conflicts.
The world is watching and, frankly, it’s difficult to ignore the role Israel is playing. Israel has made it clear that it does not consider Palestine a state and views the territory as under its control. That makes it responsible for the civilians within the area. The international community is uniting against Israel on this humanitarian crisis. Israel has imposed a blockade, limiting the amount of food, water, and other essential supplies entering Gaza. There are accounts of the bombing of cities and hospitals, the bulldozing of arable land, and the monopolization of aid distribution. While Israel has a right to defend itself, these actions are having a direct impact on the ability of Gazan civilians to survive.
It is important to remember that war crimes, and the collective punishment of civilians are a matter of international law, and Israel needs to be held to those standards. The reality is that, regardless of the actions of Hamas, Israel is not doing enough to facilitate the entry of food and other vital supplies into Gaza.
This is not to say that one side is purely good and the other purely evil. The situation is profoundly complex, with no easy answers. The truth is, there is a blame to go around for everyone involved, and there is a desperate need for a change in course. Hamas must cease its actions that are intentionally harming civilians, and Israel must make a deliberate and concerted effort to ensure that aid reaches the people who need it.
This brings up an uncomfortable question. Why isn’t more aid getting into Gaza? It’s a question that the world needs to keep asking and pressing for. The situation is not just tragic; it is a stain on the international community. A country that is at war with another is not necessarily held accountable for the well-being of those living within the other, and is why the question needs to be raised.
The international community can no longer ignore the suffering of the Palestinian people. It’s time for the world to come together to demand that aid is allowed in and that the people of Gaza can live in some measure of safety and dignity. The hostages must be returned and a long term solution for Gaza’s future must be developed.