Israel to Allow Basic Quantity of Food into Gaza to Avoid Starvation Crisis
In a move to alleviate the growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Israel has agreed to allow a limited amount of food to enter the besieged enclave. According to a report by Sky News, the Israeli government has decided to permit a "basic quantity" of food into Gaza, following international pressure and concern over reports of famine.
The development comes after a nearly three-month blockade of food, medicine, and other essential supplies into Gaza. United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said that Israel cleared nine trucks of aid to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing on Monday, but added that it was a "drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed". Mr. Fletcher emphasised that "significantly more aid must be allowed into Gaza, starting tomorrow morning".
The Israeli military confirmed that five UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food for babies, were allowed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the territory. A UN official told the Associated Press news agency that 20 aid trucks carrying mostly food would go into the territory. To put this into perspective, around 600 aid trucks had entered Gaza each day during a ceasefire in the conflict earlier this year.
The leaders of the UK, France, and Canada released a joint statement on Monday saying that Israel’s decision to allow a "basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate". They called on the Israeli government to stop its military operations in Gaza and immediately allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. The statement also condemned the "abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate".
According to Sky News, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a video statement that his country’s "greatest friends in the world" had threatened to withdraw support for Israel if it did not allow aid into Gaza. He added that there had been pressure from allies who said they couldn’t support Israel’s renewed military offensive if there were "images of hunger" coming from the Palestinian territory.
The Israeli government has faced criticism for its handling of the crisis in Gaza. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right figure in Mr. Netanyahu’s government, said that an American civilian company would begin operating in the Gaza Strip to distribute minimal food aid directly to civilians. However, international aid groups have expressed concerns that the new distribution mechanism is not practical and won’t reach the most vulnerable Palestinians.
The crisis in Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reporting that more than 53,000 people have died in Israel’s 19-month campaign. The ministry reported 464 people had died in Israeli military strikes in the week to Sunday. As the situation continues to deteriorate, the international community is calling for an end to the violence and the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
As reported by Sky News, Israeli military operations in Gaza have been the subject of international condemnation, with many countries calling for a ceasefire. The UK, Canada, and France have expressed their concerns over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the need for an immediate and sustainable ceasefire.
In related news, Israel has ramped up its offensive in Gaza, where it has been conducting a military campaign in retaliation for 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023. The Israeli government has come under fire for its actions in Gaza, with many countries accusing it of committing human rights abuses.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with many civilians facing starvation and a severe shortage of essential supplies. The international community must continue to pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and to work towards a sustainable ceasefire. As Sky News reports, the crisis in Gaza is a complex and ongoing issue, and it is essential that all parties involved work towards a peaceful resolution.
