Following a 10-week blockade, Israel announced it will permit a limited amount of food into Gaza to prevent a starvation crisis, a decision predicated on the IDF’s recommendation and the ongoing military offensive, Operation Gideon’s Chariot. This action comes amidst international pressure and dire warnings from aid agencies regarding widespread famine. The Israeli government also stated it would control humanitarian aid distribution to prevent Hamas from exploiting it. However, the ongoing military operation continues to inflict heavy casualties and damage, including the targeting of hospitals, despite negotiations for a ceasefire in Qatar.
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Israel continues to blockade the entry of all food, aid, and other goods into Gaza, and the consequences are devastating. Hunger is rampant, disease is spreading, and crime is spiraling out of control. The situation has reached a point where even publications typically perceived as pro-Israel are openly calling for humanitarian intervention. The scale of suffering is undeniable, and the silence from much of the international community is deafening.
Israel’s actions are leading to a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. The blockade prevents essential supplies from reaching the population, leaving them vulnerable to starvation and illness. Hospitals lack medicine and equipment, and basic necessities like clean water are scarce.… Continue reading
For 68 days, Israel has completely blocked all humanitarian aid to Gaza, resulting in a worsening humanitarian crisis with at least 57 deaths from malnutrition and lack of medical care. Senator Sanders decried this situation, highlighting that Israel’s stated policy of using aid as a weapon violates international law and basic human decency. He further criticized the US’s complicity, citing billions in military aid to Israel and discussions of a US-led post-war administration of Gaza. Sanders urged an immediate end to US support for Israel’s actions and a surge in humanitarian aid to prevent mass starvation and death.
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The UK government, represented by Sally Langrish, argued before the International Court of Justice that Israel’s refusal to grant the ICRC access to Palestinian prisoners violates the Geneva Conventions, and that Hamas’s actions do not justify this. The UK also insisted that UNRWA is a neutral body with which Israel must cooperate to deliver aid to Gaza, citing articles 55 and 59 of the Fourth Geneva Convention which obligate Israel to facilitate aid provision and ensure UNRWA’s safety. This position directly contradicts the US’s arguments and highlights a clear divergence in legal interpretation. Israel’s blockade of Gaza, leading to a humanitarian crisis, forms the crux of the ICJ’s advisory opinion request.
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Following the expiration of the first phase of a Gaza ceasefire, Israel halted all goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip, citing Hamas’s failure to meet hostage release conditions. This action, condemned by Egypt as a war crime, prompted Hamas to accuse Israel of extortion and violating the truce. Israel maintains that the ceasefire hinges on continued hostage releases and presented a new proposal involving a phased release during Ramadan and Passover. The situation remains tense, with dire humanitarian consequences predicted for Gaza’s residents due to the aid cutoff.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood