Hunger has been weaponised as people in Gaza face mass starvation
Re your editorial (The Guardian view on Israel's aid blockade of Gaza: hunger as a weapon of war, 4 May), what we are witnessing in Gaza is the collective punishment of a civilian population, mostly refugees, who were already living in highly vulnerable conditions following 18 months of what the international court of justice found to be a plausible risk of genocide and 18 years of an Israeli blockade.
That blockade has been tightened further for the past two months, during which hunger has been weaponised, with the apparent aim of ethnically cleansing Gaza. The author Omar El Akkad describes the term 'genocide' as a 'mechanic of forewarning', not some 'after‑the-fact resolution'. The world should consider itself warned that the genocide in Gaza has entered a new phase of mass starvation with hunger, thirst and disease stalking 2 million people.
The path to de-escalation lies in implementing the second phase of the ceasefire abandoned by Israel on 18 March. Israel has instead threatened to intensify its operations in Gaza, which will be catastrophic for Palestinians with two-thirds of Gaza already designated as either 'no-go areas' or 'under active displacement orders'. Only external pressure on Israel and the governments complicit in its occupation will prevent this outrage.
The American academic activist Angela Davis has described Palestine as 'a moral litmus test for the world' and we as citizens need to act accordingly.Stephen McCloskeyDirector, Centre for Global Education, Belfast
So much about the situation in Gaza is 'shameful' and, as your excellent editorial concludes, that it has 'been allowed to happen' is most shameful of all. It is clearly the case that as long as Netanyahu goes unpunished by the world, he will carry on the genocide of Palestinians (Netanyahu says new offensive in Gaza focused on consolidating seizure of territory, 5 May).
Sadly, the crisis for Palestinians in Gaza is one of the many things Keir Starmer doesn't appear to 'get', but that doesn't mean Labour MPs should show similar spinelessness: at the very least they should force an emergency debate and vote on action to be taken. Aren't they ashamed to be abetting the slaughter with arms sales, ashamed that their government hasn't demanded sanctions against Israelis similar to the ones imposed on Russia, and determined to steer a government that is lost in at least one right direction? Failing that, they should be forcing a leadership contest. Bernie EvansLiverpool
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Dawn French apologises for ‘Oct 7 attacks' video
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The Independent
an hour ago
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Israel backs an anti-Hamas armed group known for looting aid in Gaza. Here's what we know
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The Independent
an hour ago
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‘Let down by a world that claims to be humane but does nothing': Palestinians speak out as Israeli bulldozers raze West Bank villages
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The people feel that they are alone, the international community just watches.' Days later, Huraini was detained while sitting in a tent with other activists in Khalet al-Daba'a. Israeli police have routinely detained activists and residents on the land, including 70-year-old Irish woman Deirdre Murphy - who as of Friday remained in detention as she appealed her deportation - and Swedish national Susanne Björk, both UK residents. The army says entry into is prohibited under military orders. 'Every day it's getting worse and worse, and we expect there is more worse to come,' says Mohammad Hureini - a cousin of the previously-quoted Mohammad Hesham Huraini. Speaking of the settlers, he said: 'There is no power to stop them, they are roaming daily, shooting, stealing land. Anyone who stands up for their rights will be attacked.' The Israeli military says its troops are 'required to act to stop the violation' in instances of violence against Palestinians and 'to delay or detain the suspects until the police arrive at the scene'. But Palestinians say Israeli authorities offer no such protection. Activists including Basel Adra, the Oscar-winning director of the documentary No Other Land, which depicts settler and military violence in Masafer Yatta, have issued an urgent call for journalists and activists from the international community to flock to the West Bank. 'It's not easy for me to write this, but my community Masafer Yatta will be destroyed unless more activists and journalists don't urgently come and join us on the ground,' Adra wrote on X along with a video showing Israel settlers standing among the ruins of Khalet al-Daba'a. During one such visit led by Adra earlier this week, masked Israeli soldiers barred around 20 journalists from entering the villages. As the conversation draw to a close, Huraini thanks the international community for their support. But now, he says, as the community of Masafer Yatta looks ahead to a gloomy future: 'We need you here on the ground.' The IDF said: 'The mission of the IDF is to maintain the security of all residents of the area, and to act to prevent terrorism and activities that endanger the citizens of the State of Israel. 'Enforcement against illegal structures is carried out in accordance with the law, operational priorities, and subject to approval by the political echelon. The structures built in [Khalet al-Daba'a] and nearby areas were constructed illegally and were therefore demolished after the owners were given the opportunity to present their claims. 'The IDF monitors developments in the area and acts in accordance with regulations.' Israeli police were also contacted by The Independent.
