Only less than a month after United Nations-backed food security experts called Gaza “a disaster unfolding in front of our eyes” amidst mounting evidence of widespread starvation, the world body has officially declared a famine in Gaza. Israel’s revolting tactic of obstructing food and aid to citizens, and manufacturing manmade starvation, was repeatedly recognised, condemned and resisted by people all around the world. Over a hundred NGOs called on governments to take urgent action against the “mass starvation” forced upon by Israel. But despite that all, the situation has now reached catastrophic levels.
According to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), the final phase of depleting resources is when “starvation, death, destitution and extremely critical acute malnutrition levels are evident”. To classify an area as famine-ridden, it must have extreme critical levels of mortality. There must be at least two deaths per 10,000 due to food insecurity daily. This is now the reality of Gaza.
When somebody experiences malnutrition, their body first starts breaking down fat. Then it begins to attack muscle tissue for fuel. Their hair starts falling out, they have a weakened immune system, and their heart rate begins to slow down. Eventually, the body starts giving up and organs begin to shrink. If prolonged, this can lead to death. According to the IPC, 132,000 children between the ages of five and six, 55,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, and 25,000 infants will go through this before June of next year. Still, the blockade of food and goods, including water, medicine and fuel, continues.
It is the duty of every nation, big or small, to vehemently push for a ceasefire in Gaza and force Israel to halt its military activities so that Palestinians may be given a chance to recover from this inconceivable catastrophe. It is the only humane way forward.
