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Palestinian Arabs

Famine Declared in Gaza as World Leaders Condemn Israel's Blockade

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheal Martin, has branded Israel's ongoing blockade of food and aid into Gaza a "war crime" as the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared famine in Gaza City. This declaration comes after months of warnings by aid groups that Israel's restrictions of food and other aid into Gaza, and its military offensive, were causing high levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has declared famine in Gaza City, with the situation expected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of next month.
  • The famine is a result of Israel's restriction of food and aid into Gaza, and its military offensive, which has caused high levels of starvation among Palestinian civilians, particularly children.
  • The Taoiseach of Ireland, Micheal Martin, has condemned Israel's actions, stating that famine in Gaza was "both entirely predictable and preventable".
  • ActionAid Ireland has also condemned the deliberate starvation in Gaza, with CEO Karol Balfe stating that famine is a war crime.
  • UNICEF has expressed profound distress following the confirmation of famine in Gaza, with Executive Director Peter Power stating that this famine declaration is the devastating confirmation of their worst fears.
  • President Michael D Higgins has condemned the famine in Gaza City, stating that it is a result of the "illegal occupation" of the West Bank and the destruction of the two-state solution.
  • Israel has blocked food, water, and aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza for months, with the secretary general of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, describing it as a "man-made disaster".
  • The Israeli military agency in charge of transferring aid to the territory has rejected the IPC's report, calling it "false and biased".
  • At least 17 Palestinians were killed yesterday in Gaza City as Israel escalated its activity in the area in the lead-up to its broader planned offensive.
  • Another two people have died from malnutrition-related causes, bringing the total number of such deaths to 271, including 112 children.
  • The war was sparked by the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel in 2023, which saw about 1,200 people killed, with 251 hostages taken.
  • Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza's health ministry.
  • A group of Holocaust survivors are urgently calling for action to stop the starvation of Palestinians, with 85-year-old Joan Salter stating that "my heart and sympathy are with the children and their families".

Statistics:

  • Famine has been declared in Gaza City, with the situation expected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by the end of next month.
  • Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict, according to Gaza's health ministry.
  • 271 people have died from malnutrition-related causes, including 112 children.
  • At least 17 Palestinians were killed yesterday in Gaza City as Israel escalated its activity in the area in the lead-up to its broader planned offensive.
  • 251 hostages were taken in the October 7 attack on Israel in 2023.
  • 1,200 people were killed in the October 7 attack on Israel in 2023.

Sources:

  • [Taoiseach Micheal Martin's statement on Israel's blockade of Gaza](no specific source date)
  • [Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report on famine in Gaza City](no specific source date)
  • [ActionAid Ireland CEO Karol Balfe's statement on the crisis](no specific source date)
  • [UNICEF Ireland Executive Director Peter Power's statement on the crisis](no specific source date)
  • [President Michael D Higgins' statement on the crisis](no specific source date)
  • [United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres' statement on the crisis](no specific source date)

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