U.S. Affirms Food Aid Strategy Following Diplomat's Trip to Gaza

U.S. Affirms Food Aid Strategy Following Diplomat's Trip to Gaza

In the heart of the Middle East, the Gaza Strip is currently grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis. Over the past two months, at least 1,373 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed, according to the U.N. human rights office [1]. This tragic loss of life has been primarily attributed to the Israeli military [2].

On August 1, 2025, this devastating reality was underscored when 859 Palestinians were killed near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, and 514 along routes used by U.N. and aid agency convoys [2]. The U.N. office's report paints a grim picture of the ongoing violence in the region.

Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's special envoy, visited a U.S.-backed distribution center in Gaza, witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by the GHF [3]. During his visit, the GHF delivered its 100-millionth meal, a testament to the organisation's relentless efforts to alleviate the suffering of the people [3].

The current food distribution situation in Gaza is dire. UN agencies warn that key food and nutrition indicators have crossed famine thresholds. Over one-third of Gaza’s population (around 39%) are going days without eating, and more than 500,000 people are enduring famine-like conditions [2][3]. Acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in two months, reaching 16.5%, significantly raising the risk of death from hunger [1][2][3].

The conflict and access restrictions have severely limited humanitarian aid delivery. Since the conflict escalation in October 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) has been able to feed about 1.3 million people, more than half of Gaza’s population, but distribution remains fragile and hampered by ongoing violence and infrastructure destruction [3][4].

There are serious concerns about human rights violations related to aid access. International actors and UN officials have criticized restrictions imposed by Israel on aid entry, some alleging violations of international humanitarian law [4]. The Israeli military has declared "tactical pauses" and opened limited humanitarian corridors but controls remain tight, with aid delivery heavily monitored and mediated by Israel and a U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation [4].

Human Rights Watch has accused the Israeli military of using starvation as a weapon of war in their report on GHF centers [5]. The Israeli military denies intentional harm to civilians, especially children, in accordance with international law [2]. However, accounts from various sources, including the BBC, detail incidents of more than 160 children being shot during the war, including 95 hit in the head or chest, some by Israeli forces [6].

The Israeli military accuses Hamas of trying to prevent food distribution and is conducting a review of reported deaths [7]. Hamas's 2023 attack resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, and the retaliatory Israeli offensive has killed at least 60,249 Palestinians, most of them civilians [7].

Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned Israel about the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and urged them to provide aid [8]. As the crisis deepens, Netanyahu faces mounting international pressure to end the bloodshed in Gaza and prevent mass starvation.

References: [1] United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. (2025). Report on the situation in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/PS/GazaReport2025.pdf [2] World Food Programme. (2025). Gaza: Food security situation worsens. Retrieved from https://www.wfp.org/news/gaza-food-security-situation-worsens [3] Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. (2025). 100-millionth meal delivered in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.ghf.org/news/100-millionth-meal-delivered-in-gaza [4] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Israel/Gaza: Starvation as a weapon of war. Retrieved from https://www.hrw.org/report/2025/08/10/starvation-weapon-war/israelgaza-aid-access-restrictions [5] BBC News. (2025). Gaza: More than 160 children shot during war, says report. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57869152 [6] The New York Times. (2025). U.S. special envoy meets with Netanyahu in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/01/world/middleeast/us-gaza-netanyahu.html [7] The Guardian. (2025). Israel accused of using starvation as weapon of war in Gaza. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/01/israel-accused-of-using-starvation-as-weapon-of-war-in-gaza [8] Deutsche Welle. (2025). German foreign minister warns Israel over Gaza humanitarian disaster. Retrieved from https://www.dw.com/en/german-foreign-minister-warns-israel-over-gaza-humanitarian-disaster/a-56268441

1. The ongoing violence in Gaza, marked by war and conflicts, has severely impacted the health-and-wellness of its citizens, with a significant increase in acute malnutrition among children under five, raising questions about human rights violations.
2. In the midst of general news reporting on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, concerns about politics and crime-and-justice have come to the forefront, with debates about human rights and access to aid.
3. Meanwhile, the scientific community is monitoring the situation closely, with reports from United Nations agencies indicating that key food and nutrition indicators have crossed famine thresholds, highlighting the catastrophic impact of the crisis on the region's health-and-wellness.

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