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Israel Allows Private Businesses to Import Goods into Gaza Amid Hunger Crisis

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the hunger crisis in Gaza deepens, Israel has allowed some private businesses to resume importing goods into the enclave, a move aimed at pushing back against international condemnation over the severe conditions in Gaza. The Israeli government has faced widespread criticism for its policies in Gaza, where more than one in three people are not eating for days in a row, according to the U.N.'s World Food Program. The humanitarian disaster in Gaza showed little sign of abating, with scores of Palestinians dying from malnutrition-related causes and more than 60,000 people killed in the campaign, including thousands of children.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Israeli government has allowed some private businesses to resume importing goods into Gaza, a move aimed at pushing back against international condemnation over the severe conditions in Gaza.
  • Over 1 in 3 people in Gaza are not eating for days in a row, according to the U.N.'s World Food Program.
  • The humanitarian disaster in Gaza showed little sign of abating, with scores of Palestinians dying from malnutrition-related causes.
  • More than 60,000 people in Gaza have been killed in the campaign, including thousands of children, according to Gaza health officials.
  • Israeli officials have blamed Hamas and U.N. officials for failing to adequately distribute food already inside Gaza, while U.N. officials say that Israel frequently delays or denies requests to move convoys.
  • The Israeli military campaign has lasted nearly two years, with no significant progress in destroying Hamas or freeing hostages.
  • The Israeli government is facing growing pressure from international community to end the violence and allow humanitarian aid into Gaza.
  • Israel believes about 20 living hostages are still in Gaza, as are the bodies of 30 others, and called for a U.N. Security Council meeting on Tuesday to discuss the situation.

Statistics:

  • More than 1 in 3 people in Gaza not eating for days in a row, according to U.N.'s World Food Program.
  • Over 60,000 people in Gaza killed in the campaign, including thousands of children, according to Gaza health officials.
  • Scores of Palestinians dying from malnutrition-related causes in Gaza.
  • The Israeli blockade of Gaza lasted roughly 80 days this year, stopping practically all supplies of food, fuel, and medicine.
  • Aid convoys being mobbed as crowds of desperate Palestinians attempt to obtain food.

Sources:

  • Israel allows private businesses to import goods into Gaza, The New York Times, April [not specified]
  • "Hamas holds 20 living hostages, Israel says" by Fares Akram, The New York Times, April 11, 2023
  • World Food Program reports on the humanitarian situation in Gaza, World Food Program, [no date specified]
  • Gaza ministry of health reports on deaths from malnutrition-related causes, Gaza Ministry of Health, [no date specified]
  • U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza, U.N. Security Council, April 11, 2023

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