&w=3840&q=100)
Why is Gaza starving even as Israel eases blockade?
International outcry over images of emaciated children and increasing reports of hunger-related deaths has pressured Israel to let more aid into the Gaza Strip. This week, Israel paused fighting in parts of Gaza and airdropped food.
But aid groups and Palestinians say the changes have only been incremental and are not enough to reverse what food experts say is a 'worst-case scenario of famine' unfolding in the war-ravaged territory.
The new measures have brought an uptick in the number of aid trucks entering Gaza. But almost none of it reaches UN warehouses for distribution.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Instead, nearly all the trucks are stripped of their cargo by crowds that overwhelm them on the roads as they drive from the borders. The crowds are a mix of Palestinians desperate for food and gangs armed with knives, axes or pistols who loot the goods to then hoard or sell.
Many have also been killed trying to grab the aid. Witnesses say Israeli troops often open fire on crowds around the aid trucks, and hospitals have reported hundreds killed or wounded. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots to control crowds or at people who approach its forces. The alternative food distribution system run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has also been marred by violence.
International airdrops of aid have resumed. But aid groups say airdrops deliver only a fraction of what trucks can supply. Also, many parcels have landed in now-inaccessible areas that Palestinians have been told to evacuate, while others have plunged into the Mediterranean Sea, forcing people to swim out to retrieve drenched bags of flour.
Here's a look at why the aid isn't being distributed:
A lack of trust
The UN says that longstanding restrictions on the entry of aid have created an unpredictable environment, and that while a pause in fighting might allow more aid in, Palestinians are not confident aid will reach them.
'This has resulted in many of our convoys offloaded directly by starving, desperate people as they continue to face deep levels of hunger and are struggling to feed their families,' said Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or Ocha.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'The only way to reach a level of confidence is by having a sustained flow of aid over a period of time,' she said.
Israel blocked food entirely from entering Gaza for two and a half months starting in March. Since it eased the blockade in late May, it allowed in a trickle of aid trucks for the UN, about 70 a day on average, according to official Israeli figures. That is far below the 500-600 trucks a day that UN agencies say are needed — the amount that entered during a six-week ceasefire earlier this year.
Much of the aid is stacked up just inside the border in Gaza because UN trucks could not pick it up. The UN says that it was because of Israeli military restrictions on its movements and because of the lawlessness in Gaza.
Israel has argued that it is allowing sufficient quantities of goods into Gaza and tried to shift the blame to the UN 'More consistent collection and distribution by UN agencies and international organizations = more aid reaching those who need it most in Gaza,' the Israeli military agency in charge of aid coordination, Cogat, said in a statement this week.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With the new measures this week, Cogat, says 220-270 truckloads a day were allowed into Gaza on Tuesday and Wednesday, and that the UN was able to pick up more trucks, reducing some of the backlog at the border.
Aid missions still face 'constraints'
Cherevko said there have been 'minor improvements' in approvals by the Israeli military for its movements and some 'reduced waiting times' for trucks along the road.
But she said the aid missions are 'still facing constraints.' Delays of military approval still mean trucks remain idle for long periods, and the military still restricts the routes that the trucks can take onto a single road, which makes it easy for people to know where the trucks are going, UN officials say.
Palestinians hold onto an aid truck returning to Gaza City. AP
Antoine Renard, who directs the World Food Program's operations in Gaza and the occupied West Bank, said Wednesday that it took nearly 12 hours to bring in 52 trucks on a 10-kilometre (6 mile) route.
'While we're doing everything that we can to actually respond to the current wave of starvation in Gaza, the conditions that we have are not sufficient to actually make sure that we can break that wave,' he said.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Aid workers say the changes Israel has made in recent days are largely cosmetic. 'These are theatrics, token gestures dressed up as progress,' said Bushra Khalidi, Oxfam's policy lead for Israel and the Palestinian territories.
'Of course, a handful of trucks, a few hours of tactical pauses and raining energy bars from the sky is not going to fix irreversible harm done to an entire generation of children that have been starved and malnourished for months now,' she said.
Breakdown of law and order
As desperation mounts, Palestinians are risking their lives to get food, and violence is increasing, say aid workers.
Muhammad Shehada, a political analyst from Gaza who is a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said aid retrieval has turned into the survival of the fittest. 'It's a Darwin dystopia, the strongest survive,' he said.
A truck driver said Wednesday that he has driven food supplies four times from the Zikim crossing on Gaza's northern border. Every time, he said, crowds a kilometre long (0.6 miles) surrounded his truck and took everything on it after he passed the checkpoint at the edge of the Israeli military-controlled border zones.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
He said some were desperate people, while others were armed. He said that on Tuesday, for the first time, some in the crowd threatened him with knives or small arms. He spoke on condition of anonymity, fearing for his safety.
Ali al-Derbashi, another truck driver, said that during one trip in July armed men shot the tires, stole everything, including the diesel and batteries and beat him. 'If people weren't starving, they wouldn't resort to this,' he said.
Israel has said it has offered the UN armed escorts. The UN has refused, saying it can't be seen to be working with a party to the conflict – and pointing to the reported shootings when Israeli troops are present.
Uncertainty and humiliation
Israel hasn't given a timeline for how long the measures it implemented this week will continue, heightening uncertainty and urgency among Palestinians to seize the aid before it ends.
Palestinians say the way it's being distributed, including being dropped from the sky, is inhumane.
'This approach is inappropriate for Palestinians, we are humiliated,' said Rida, a displaced woman.
Momen Abu Etayya said he almost drowned because his son begged him to get aid that fell into the sea during an aid drop.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
'I threw myself into the ocean to death just to bring him something,' he said. 'I was only able to bring him three biscuit packets'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
National Couscous Day 2025: What is couscous and how to cook it perfectly?
Happy National Couscous Day! Whether you're a longtime fan of this fluffy staple or you're just now asking, 'Wait… what even is couscous?', today's the perfect time to give it a try, or give it a glow-up. Couscous might look like a grain, but it's actually a type of pasta, tiny steamed balls made from semolina flour and water. There are three main types: Moroccan couscous – The most common and smallest. It cooks lightning fast. Israeli couscous (aka pearl couscous) – Bigger, rounder, with a more chewy texture. Lebanese couscous (aka Moghrabieh) – The largest, and takes longer to cook. You'll find Moroccan couscous in most grocery stores usually in the rice or international foods section. Besides being fun to say (koos-koos!), couscous is a weeknight hero. It's ready in 5 minutes, soaks up sauces like a sponge, and plays well with everything from roasted veggies to grilled meats to cold salads. Oh, and it's naturally low in fat, high in selenium, and great for meal prepping. How to cook couscous (the right way) Let's talk about Moroccan couscous, since it's the most common and the easiest to get right. Basic fluffy couscous recipe What you need: 1 cup couscous 1 cup water (or broth for more flavor) 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter A pinch of salt Instructions: Boil the water or broth. Add the salt and olive oil. Take it off the heat, then stir in the couscous. Cover with a lid or foil. Let it steam for 5 minutes, don't peek! Fluff it gently with a fork. That's it! Pro tip: Want extra flavor? Add spices (like cumin or turmeric), chopped herbs, or a squeeze of lemon juice while fluffing. Cooking Pearl Couscous (Israeli Couscous) This one's more like cooking pasta. Quick rundown: Toast it in olive oil for 2–3 mins (optional but tasty). Add water or broth (1½ cups for every 1 cup of pearl couscous). Simmer uncovered for 10–12 mins until tender. Drain excess liquid, then fluff. It has a bouncier, nuttier vibe than the regular kind and holds up really well in salads. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Learn More - How Donating Sperm May Boost Your Income SpellRock Undo Fun ways to eat couscous Once you master the basics, couscous becomes a blank canvas. Here are some easy ideas: Roasted Veggie Couscous – Toss with zucchini, bell peppers, onions, and a dollop of pesto. Couscous Salad – Mix with chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, and lemon vinaigrette. Spicy Moroccan-Style – Add raisins, almonds, cinnamon, and serve with spiced chicken or lamb. Couscous Breakfast Bowl – Yes, really. Try it warm with cinnamon, nuts, and fruit. Few cooking tips: Don't boil it like pasta. It's more like steaming. Always fluff with a fork, not a spoon. Leftovers? Store in the fridge for 3–4 days and reheat with a splash of water or broth. Celebrate the day, one bowl at a time So this National Couscous Day, skip the plain rice and try something a little fluffier. Whether you go savory, sweet, spiced, or simple, couscous is the ultimate last-minute dinner saver—and way easier than it looks.
News18
3 days ago
- News18
Israel euthanises crocodiles after repeated escapes, inhumane treatment
Petzael (West Bank), Aug 4 (AP) A bask of crocodiles brought to an Israeli settlement in the West Bank decades ago is meeting its end, as authorities euthanise the aging reptiles after years of their repeated escapes from a long-neglected farm. Israeli authorities said Monday that government veterinarians had culled the crocodiles because they threatened the area's residents and were themselves suffering from inhumane treatment. The exact number of crocodiles euthanised and the method of culling were not immediately clear. 'The Nile crocodiles at the farm were being kept in an abandoned compound under poor conditions that constitute animal abuse, with insufficient access to food, which had driven them to cannibalistic behaviour," COGAT, the Israeli defence body that administers civilian affairs in the West Bank, said. The crocodiles were initially brought to the town of Petzael as a tourist attraction — a business adventure derailed by violence between Israel and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. They were later purchased by an entrepreneur who hoped to sell their skin. Their fate has been an open question since Israel in 2012 passed a law classifying the reptiles as protected animals and banned raising them for sale as meat or merchandise. 'I don't want to think of what will happen if a crocodile manages to escape and reaches the Jordan River, and then we'll have an international incident," the head of the local community told The Associated Press in 2018, referencing the border with Jordan 6.8 kilometres away. COGAT said that authorities had spent hundreds of thousands of Israeli shekels (more than USD 29,000) to re-fence the dilapidated farm, which has been in a state of disrepair since it was shut down in 2013. It said that veterinarians were consulted on how to humanely exterminate the animals. (AP) GRS GRS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
3 days ago
- NDTV
76 Migrants Dead, Dozens Missing After Boat Sinks Off Yemen
At least 76 people have been killed and dozens are missing after a boat carrying mostly Ethiopian migrants sank off Yemen, in the latest tragedy on the perilous sea route, officials told AFP on Monday. Yemeni security officials said 76 bodies had been recovered and 32 people rescued from the shipwreck in the Gulf of Aden. The UN's migration agency said 157 people were on board. The accident occurred off Abyan governorate in southern Yemen, a frequent destination for boats smuggling African migrants hoping to reach the wealthy Gulf states. Some of those rescued have been transferred to Yemen's Aden, near Abyan, a security official said. UN agency the International Organization for Migration earlier gave a toll of at least 68 dead. The IOM's country chief of mission, Abdusattor Esoev, told AFP that "the fate of the missing is still unknown." Despite the civil war that has ravaged Yemen since 2014, the impoverished country has remained a key transit point for irregular migration, in particular from Ethiopia which itself has been roiled by ethnic conflict. Each year, thousands brave the so-called "Eastern Route" from Djibouti to Yemen across the Red Sea, in the hope of eventually reaching oil-rich Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The IOM recorded at least 558 deaths on the Red Sea route last year, with 462 from boat accidents. Last month, at least eight people died after smugglers forced migrants to disembark from a boat in the Red Sea, according to the UN's migration agency. The vessel that sank off Abyan was carrying mostly Ethiopian migrants, according to the province's security directorate and an IOM source. Yemeni security forces were conducting operations to recover a "significant" number of bodies, the Abyan directorate said on Sunday. On their way to the Gulf, migrants cross the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the narrow waterway at the mouth of the Red Sea that is a major route for international trade, as well as for migration and human trafficking. Once in war-torn Yemen, the Arabian Peninsula's poorest country, migrants often face other threats to their safety. The IOM says tens of thousands of migrants have become stranded in Yemen and suffer abuse and exploitation during their journeys. In April, more than 60 people were killed in a strike blamed on the United States that hit a migrant detention centre in Yemen, according to the Huthi rebels that control much of the country. The wealthy Gulf monarchies host significant populations of foreign workers from South Asia and Africa.
