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Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : CBS News
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Food and Wine
Source : (remove) : CBS News
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"Worst-case scenario of famine unfolding" in Gaza Strip, food security experts say

Dire Warnings of Imminent Famine in Gaza Amid Ongoing Israel-Hamas War

In the midst of the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas, food security experts are sounding urgent alarms about a looming famine in Gaza, painting a grim picture of humanitarian catastrophe that could unfold in the coming weeks. According to a comprehensive assessment by leading international organizations, including the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), parts of Gaza are on the brink of famine, with northern regions particularly at risk. This dire scenario stems from the severe disruptions caused by the war, which has not only destroyed infrastructure but also severely restricted the flow of essential aid, leaving millions of Palestinians in desperate need of food, water, and medical supplies.

The IPC, a global partnership of United Nations agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations, released a report highlighting that famine is projected to occur in northern Gaza between mid-March and May 2024 unless immediate action is taken. The assessment classifies food insecurity on a five-phase scale, with Phase 5 representing catastrophe or famine. Currently, over half of Gaza's 2.3 million population is experiencing Phase 5 conditions, characterized by extreme lack of food, starvation, and exhaustion of coping capacities. Experts warn that without a cessation of hostilities and a massive influx of humanitarian aid, the situation could deteriorate rapidly, leading to widespread deaths from hunger and related diseases.

The roots of this crisis trace back to the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel, which killed around 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of over 250 hostages. Israel's subsequent military response, aimed at dismantling Hamas's infrastructure and securing the release of hostages, has involved intense airstrikes, ground operations, and a blockade that has significantly hampered aid delivery. Gaza, already one of the most densely populated areas in the world, has seen its agricultural lands devastated, markets shuttered, and supply chains severed. Bakeries, farms, and fishing operations—key sources of local food production—have been largely destroyed or rendered inoperable due to bombardments and fuel shortages.

Food security specialists emphasize that the blockade and ongoing fighting have created a perfect storm for famine. Arif Husain, chief economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), described the situation as "unprecedented," noting that Gaza's reliance on imports for about 80% of its food needs has been crippled. Prior to the war, Gaza imported most of its goods through crossings controlled by Israel and Egypt, but these have been drastically reduced. For instance, the Kerem Shalom crossing, a primary entry point, has seen truck entries drop from an average of 500 per day pre-war to fewer than 100 now, according to UN data. This bottleneck has led to acute shortages, with prices of basic staples like flour and rice skyrocketing, making them unaffordable for many families already displaced and impoverished.

Experts point out that the northern Gaza Strip, isolated from the south by Israeli military operations, is the epicenter of the crisis. Residents there have been cut off from aid convoys, forcing them to resort to desperate measures such as eating animal fodder, scavenging for wild plants, or grinding bird feed into makeshift flour. Reports from aid workers on the ground describe scenes of malnourished children with sunken eyes and distended bellies, a hallmark of severe acute malnutrition. The IPC report estimates that 677,000 people in Gaza are already in Phase 5, with the number potentially rising to over a million if the conflict persists. This level of deprivation not only causes immediate starvation but also weakens immune systems, exacerbating the spread of diseases like cholera and hepatitis in overcrowded shelters lacking clean water and sanitation.

Humanitarian organizations have been vocal in their pleas for unrestricted access. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which provides aid to the majority of Gaza's population, has faced its own challenges, including funding cuts after allegations that some staff were involved in the October 7 attacks. Despite these setbacks, UNRWA's commissioner-general, Philippe Lazzarini, has urged the international community to prioritize aid over politics, stating that "famine does not wait for negotiations." Similarly, the WFP has called for a "humanitarian ceasefire" to allow safe passage of convoys, emphasizing that airdrops and sea routes, while innovative, are insufficient to meet the scale of need. Recent attempts at airdrops by the U.S. and Jordan have delivered some supplies, but experts like Husain argue they are mere "drops in the ocean" compared to the required 300 trucks per day.

Israeli officials, however, maintain that they are facilitating aid and blame Hamas for diverting supplies and using civilians as shields. Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) has reported approving hundreds of aid trucks and coordinating with international partners. Yet, critics, including human rights groups like Amnesty International, argue that Israel's restrictions, including rigorous inspections to prevent weapons smuggling, have unnecessarily delayed deliveries. The Israeli government has also pointed to instances where aid convoys were mobbed or looted, attributing this to chaos caused by Hamas's governance failures. In response, Palestinian authorities and aid groups counter that the root issue is the intensity of the military campaign, which has displaced over 85% of Gaza's population and turned much of the enclave into rubble.

The broader implications of a famine in Gaza extend beyond immediate humanitarian concerns. Food insecurity experts warn that such a crisis could destabilize the region further, potentially sparking mass migration, increased radicalization, and long-term health epidemics. Children, who make up nearly half of Gaza's population, are particularly vulnerable; malnutrition during critical growth periods can lead to stunted development, cognitive impairments, and lifelong health issues. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already reported a surge in child malnutrition cases, with hospitals overwhelmed and lacking basic medical supplies.

Calls for action have intensified on the global stage. U.S. President Joe Biden has pressed Israel to allow more aid, announcing plans for a temporary pier off Gaza's coast to facilitate sea deliveries. European Union leaders have echoed these sentiments, advocating for an immediate ceasefire during ongoing mediation efforts in Qatar and Egypt. However, negotiations have stalled over demands for hostage releases and troop withdrawals, prolonging the suffering.

In interviews with affected residents, the human toll becomes starkly evident. A mother in Rafah, speaking anonymously to aid workers, described feeding her children one meal a day of watered-down soup, watching them grow weaker. "We are not just fighting bombs; we are fighting hunger," she said. Such stories underscore the urgency highlighted by experts: famine is not an abstract risk but a present reality for many.

To avert catastrophe, food security analysts recommend a multi-pronged approach: an immediate halt to hostilities, the opening of all border crossings, and a surge in funding for aid organizations. The IPC stresses that while conflict is the primary driver, addressing it requires political will from all parties. Without swift intervention, Gaza risks becoming a tragic example of how war can weaponize hunger, with consequences that reverberate far beyond its borders.

As the world watches, the question remains whether diplomatic efforts can outpace the accelerating humanitarian disaster. For now, the warnings from experts serve as a stark reminder of the fragile line between survival and starvation in one of the world's most beleaguered regions. (Word count: 1,048)

Read the Full CBS News Article at:
[ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/gaza-famine-scenario-food-security-experts-israel-war/ ]