This article reports on the severe hunger crisis occurring in Gaza, contradicting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s claim that no starvation exists and that reports of such are “lies”. At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, malnourished children arrive daily– skeletal, starving, and sometimes deceased. The article shares the striking case of Ro’a Mashi, a young child who lost her life due to lack of available food and treatment.
The article mentions U.N. representative Stephane Dujarric who stated that rates of malnutrition and starvation have been at their highest since the beginning of the war. Israel recently began allowing more food to enter Gaza, and for two and a half months before that limited many of supplies available in Gaza and prevented many food and medicine from entering Gaza. This has made food unaffordable for a majority of the population, and led to increasing rates of starvation.
The article also conveys the urgency of this situation. Those suffering with malnutrition need serious medical attention because once the body has reached that point of depletion, it requires adequate medical care. If given improper treatment, there are possibilities of further harm or death. This article relied on sources from firsthand accounts of doctors and aid workers, interviews with health officials and humanitarian organizations, and verified hospital conditions.
Many people have heard about the violent conflict occurring between Palestine and Israel, specifically between their governments, but not many are aware of the harm being done to people. Those who have nowhere else to go, they are running out of resources and options. Due to the resources being diminished, food prices are rising which further reduces the accessibility. Poverty has been a prevalent issue since the beginning of the war, and now these repercussions are only exacerbating the main problem. The stability of the country is deteriorating because the people do not have protection, and are left to fend for themselves. This article is an example of how war is more than a political conflict, it’s violence that affects the entire population involved. Even if they aren’t directly facing bombs, they are being isolated, and displaced from their homes.
Steps to become involved could start with Government officials providing relief for those who are victims of war and displaced persons. This would include sending supplies to critical areas or creating support for establishments important to support those affected by war, such as the hospitals which are fighting malnutrition in Gaza. The media could highlight specific areas in need in hopes of spreading awareness for this humanitarian crisis, and gather support for those in need.
This article highlights important topics such as conflict and consequences from living in a region of war. This event is an example of the ramifications of war, and sparks the debate on the morality behind war and whether the impact on the people makes war a sufficient resolution to disputes between countries.