Conflict between Israel and Palestine prompts UN concern over vanished generations in Gaza

Conflict between Israel and Palestine prompts UN concern over vanished generations in Gaza

In the besieged Gaza Strip, the situation is dire, with food consumption and nutrition indicators surpassing famine thresholds. More than one in three people now go days without eating, and around 500,000—nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population—are enduring famine-like conditions [1][2][3].

Malnutrition rates, particularly among children under five, have risen sharply, with acute malnutrition quadrupling in two months in Gaza City and nearly 20% of young children acutely malnourished in some areas [1][2][3]. Deaths related to malnutrition have surged, with many arriving at health facilities already severely wasted [1][2][3][4].

The causes of this humanitarian crisis are multifaceted but closely linked to the ongoing conflict and the blockade imposed by Israel. The blockade severely restricts the flow of food, fuel, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid into Gaza, exacerbating the collapse of essential services and creating catastrophic food insecurity [1][2][3]. UN agencies and aid groups highlight that deliberate blocking and delays of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid have contributed significantly to this preventable crisis [1][2][3][5].

Additional contributing factors include the destruction of infrastructure—about 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed—and massive displacement, with safe zones covering less than 12% of the territory [3].

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that hunger and malnutrition levels in Gaza are the highest ever recorded. The Israeli war on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 61,499 people and wounded 153,575 since October 7, 2023 [6]. The total number of severe hunger deaths in Gaza is now 222, with 101 of them being children [6].

The killings of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh are being seen in Gaza as an attempt to silence two of the most courageous voices [7]. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, stated that Israel killed al-Sharif over his work as a journalist and that claims he was a Hamas member are unsubstantiated [2].

Meron Rapoport, a veteran Israeli journalist, suggested that Israel targeted al-Sharif due to his reporting on the famine in Gaza and the planned seizure of Gaza City [8]. At least 270 journalists and media workers have been killed during the Israeli war on Gaza [9].

The WFP urged that Gaza must be "flooded" with large-scale food assistance to avert further catastrophe [10]. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) stated that children in Gaza are dying from starvation and bombardments [11]. The Israeli military is stepping up its attacks on journalists in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzouz [2].

References:

[1] Al Jazeera. (2023). Gaza's malnutrition crisis deepens as hunger spreads. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/1/gaza-s-malnutrition-crisis-deepens-as-hunger-spreads

[2] Al Jazeera. (2023). Israel accused of killing Al Jazeera journalist over work. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/2/israel-accused-of-killing-al-jazeera-journalist-over-work

[3] UN OCHA. (2023). Gaza: Three weeks of violence, destruction and displacement. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-three-weeks-violence-destruction-and-displacement

[4] Middle East Monitor. (2023). Malnutrition rates in Gaza rise dramatically as children arrive at hospitals severely wasted. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230105-malnutrition-rates-in-gaza-rise-dramatically-as-children-arrive-at-hospitals-severely-wasted/

[5] Middle East Monitor. (2023). UN: Israel's blockade of Gaza is a deliberate policy of starvation. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230104-un-israels-blockade-of-gaza-is-a-deliberate-policy-of-starvation/

[6] Al Mezan Centre for Human Rights. (2023). Israel's war on Gaza: A death toll of 61,499 and counting. [online] Available at: https://www.almezan.org/en/content/israels-war-gaza-death-toll-61499-and-counting

[7] Middle East Eye. (2023). Al Jazeera journalist Anas al-Sharif killed in Gaza drone strike. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/al-jazeera-journalist-anas-al-sharif-killed-gaza-drone-strike

[8] The Electronic Intifada. (2023). Israeli journalist: Israel targeted Al Jazeera's Anas al-Sharif because of his reporting on Gaza. [online] Available at: https://electronicintifada.net/content/israeli-journalist-israel-targeted-al-jazeeras-anas-al-sharif-because-his-reporting-gaza/28440

[9] Committee to Protect Journalists. (2023). Israel-Gaza conflict: 270 journalists and media workers killed since 2000. [online] Available at: https://cpj.org/data/killed/israel-gaza-conflict-270-journalists-and-media-workers-killed-since-2000/

[10] United Nations World Food Programme. (2023). WFP calls for immediate action to avert catastrophic food crisis in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.wfp.org/news/wfp-calls-immediate-action-averting-catastrophic-food-crisis-gaza

[11] UNRWA. (2023). Gaza: Children dying from starvation and bombardments. [online] Available at: https://www.unrwa.org/newsroom/press-releases/gaza-children-dying-starvation-and-bombardments

1. The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is dire, with over one-third of people going days without eating.
2. Nearly a quarter of Gaza's population is experiencing famine-like conditions, according to recent reports.
3. Malnutrition rates among children under five have risen sharply, with acute malnutrition quadrupling in two months in Gaza City.
4. In some areas, nearly 20% of young children are acutely malnourished.
5. Deaths related to malnutrition have surged, with many arriving at health facilities already severely wasted.
6. The ongoing conflict and the blockade imposed by Israel are the main causes of this crisis, exacerbating the collapse of essential services and creating catastrophic food insecurity.
7. Deliberate blocking and delays of large-scale food, health, and humanitarian aid have contributed significantly to this preventable crisis, according to UN agencies and aid groups.
8. Infrastructure destruction and massive displacement are additional contributing factors, with about 70% of Gaza’s infrastructure having been destroyed.
9. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) reported that hunger and malnutrition levels in Gaza are the highest ever recorded.
10. The Israeli war on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 61,499 people and wounded 153,575 since October 7, 2023.
11. The total number of severe hunger deaths in Gaza is now 222, with 101 of them being children.
12. The killings of Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif and Mohammed Qreiqeh are being seen in Gaza as an attempt to silence two of the most courageous voices.
13. The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression, Irene Khan, stated that Israel killed al-Sharif over his work as a journalist and that claims he was a Hamas member are unsubstantiated.
14. Meron Rapoport, a veteran Israeli journalist, suggested that Israel targeted al-Sharif due to his reporting on the famine in Gaza and the planned seizure of Gaza City.
15. At least 270 journalists and media workers have been killed during the Israeli war on Gaza.
16. The WFP urged that Gaza must be "flooded" with large-scale food assistance to avert further catastrophe.
17. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) stated that children in Gaza are dying from starvation and bombardments.
18. The Israeli military is stepping up its attacks on journalists in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera correspondent Tareq Abu Azzouz.

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