Gaza faces starvation as Israel blocks food aid in 2023

In 2023, humanitarian groups reported that over 80% of food assistance is being blocked from entering Gaza, leading to a severe food crisis. Palestinians have seen their average meals drop from two a day to just one every other day. The blockade has resulted in a record-low average of only 69 aid trucks per day in August, with many in southern and central Gaza receiving no food rations at all. The situation is exacerbated by a lack of fresh produce and essential cooking supplies, making it nearly impossible for aid workers to deliver assistance effectively. The dire conditions have particularly affected children, with an estimated 50,000 Palestinian children aged 6 months to 4 years in urgent need of treatment for malnutrition. Medical professionals warn that the long-term effects of starvation will stunt growth and hinder development. The blockade has also impacted mothers' ability to breastfeed, further endangering the health of infants. Reports from the United Nations have accused Israel of deliberately starving the Palestinian population as a means of control and land annexation. The military's actions have halted agricultural production, forcing the population to rely entirely on humanitarian aid for sustenance. This strategy has been described as using humanitarian assistance as a political weapon against the Palestinian people. Aid organizations are calling for an end to the blockade and immediate action from international bodies to ensure the delivery of food and medical supplies. They emphasize the urgent need for a permanent cease-fire to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian population in Gaza.