- United States
- Okla.
- Letter
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions, with one-third of the population going days without food and children dying of starvation at rapidly increasing rates. This man-made famine demands immediate action from the global community. As the occupying force, Israel bears responsibility under international law to ensure the basic survival of civilians in Gaza. However, the current aid distribution system overseen by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has proved dangerously ineffective, forcing starving people to risk their lives walking miles for meager rations. A new approach is urgently needed to facilitate the free flow of food aid into Gaza before this devastating famine claims more innocent lives. The World Food Program and other international relief agencies must be granted full access to establish secure supply lines and nutrition centers throughout the territory. Concrete steps toward reviving Gaza's agriculture and fishing industries are also vital to stave off future hunger crises. The world cannot stand idly by as two million human beings teeter on the brink of mass starvation. Urgent intervention is required to feed Gaza now and uphold our most fundamental humanitarian obligations.