Israeli-US Food Distribution Scheme in Gaza: A Systematic Cruelty

Strategic Insights -

The Israeli-US food distribution scheme in Gaza, launched one month ago, has been exposed as a thinly veiled attempt to dehumanize and kill Palestinians. The scheme, operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), forces thousands of people to risk their lives for minimal food supplies, resulting in over 500 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries. Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has condemned the scheme, calling on the Israeli authorities to lift the siege on food, fuel, medical, and humanitarian supplies and revert to the pre-existing principled humanitarian system.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli-US food distribution scheme has resulted in over 500 deaths and nearly 4,000 injuries in the past month.
  • The scheme is operated by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which is not a neutral humanitarian organization, but rather a proxy of the Israeli and US governments.
  • The distribution sites are poorly managed, with thousands of people fighting for scraps of food, resulting in injuries and deaths.
  • Medical teams have reported a significant increase in gunshot wounds, with a 190% increase in the week of June 8 compared to the previous week.
  • The still-basically-functional hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with trauma patients, with basic healthcare clinics and field hospitals receiving referrals from the distribution sites.
  • Patients are being referred to the few remaining hospitals, but with limited healthcare, patients are dying from their injuries before receiving treatment.
  • The scheme is a clear violation of international humanitarian law, with the Israeli authorities deliberately using food deprivation as a tactic to further their military objectives.

Statistics:

  • Over 500 people have been killed while seeking food at the distribution sites.
  • Nearly 4,000 people have been injured while seeking food.
  • 423 people were wounded from the distribution sites at the MSF clinic in Al-Mawasi since June 7.
  • Ten or more patients with violent injuries arrive from distribution sites each day at the MSF clinic in Al-Mawasi.
  • 30-40 shekels (around $6-$10) is the cost of a bag of lentils.
  • MSF has reported a 190% increase in gunshot wounds in the week of June 8 compared to the previous week.

Sources:

  • Médecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) - emergency coordinator Aitor Zabalgogeazkoa
  • Interview with Hani Abu Soud, community member at Al-Mawasi primary healthcare centre
  • MSF field hospital in Deir Al-Balah
  • MSF clinic in Al-Mawasi
  • MSF Australia