Gaza: Starvation is being used as weapon of war against Gaza civilians, Oxfam said as it renewed its call for food, water, fuel and other essentials to be allowed to enter.  

“International agency analysed UN data and found that just two percent of food that would have been delivered has entered Gaza since total siege-which tightened existing blockade was imposed on October 9. While small amount of food aid has been allowed in, no commercial food imports have been delivered,” Oxfam states in press release.

Sally Abi Khalil Oxfam’s Regional Middle East Director said, “Situation is nothing short of horrific-where is humanity? Millions of civilians are being collectively punished in full view of world, there can be no justification for using starvation as weapon of war. World leaders cannot continue to sit back and watch, they have an obligation to act and to act now.” 

“Every day situation worsens. Children are experiencing severe trauma from constant bombardment, their drinking water is polluted or rationed and soon families may not be able to feed them too. How much more are Gazans expected to endure?” 

A spokesperson for UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees pointed out that some of food aid allowed in-rice and lentils-is useless, because people do not have clean water or fuel to prepare them. 

“Electricity blackout has also disrupted food supplies by affecting refrigeration, crop irrigation and crop incubation devices. Over 15,000 farmers have lost their crop production and 10,000 livestock breeders have little access to fodder, with many having lost their animals.” As escalation of conflict extends to its 19th day, Oxfam said, staggering 2.2 million people are now in urgent need of food. Prior to hostilities, 104 trucks day would deliver food to besieged Gaza Strip, one truck every 14 minutes. 

“Despite 62 trucks of aid being allowed to enter southern Gaza via Rafah crossing since weekend, only 30 contained food and in some cases, not exclusively so. This amounts to just one truck every three hours and 12 minutes since Saturday,” adds agency.  

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 26 2023

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