In Gaza, a humanitarian disaster is unfolding. Under a tight Israeli siege, thousands of Palestinians are starving and facing deadly violence when they try to collect food. Civilians are being killed not in combat but while lining up for flour, water, or aid. These scenes are tragic, shocking and plague a population stripped of basic survival — yet the global response remains slow and inadequate.
One of the deadliest incidents occurred on February 29, 2024, now known as the “Flour Massacre.” On that day, Israeli forces opened fire on a crowd in Gaza City waiting for flour from an aid convoy. According to Al Jazeera, citing UN experts, at least 112 people were killed and hundreds more injured. The UN and rights groups described it as a massacre — a stark warning of the lethal risks for any Gazan attempting to gather food.
Sadly, similar attacks continued. On June 17, 2025, Israeli tanks fired on civilians near food trucks in Khan Yunis, killing at least 59 and injuring more than 200, according to Reuters. Just a week later, the UN confirmed that over 400 Palestinians had been killed recently while trying to reach aid distribution centres. Then, on June 30, Israeli air strikes claimed 95 more lives — including 39 people at a seaside café. These were not military locations, but public places where desperate civilians sought sustenance. Such incidents raise grave concerns about the deliberate targeting of vulnerable populations and may amount to war crimes under humanitarian law.
These attacks have not been limited to Israeli forces alone. According to AP News, American private contractors guarding aid sites in Gaza have fired live bullets at Palestinians trying to collect food. This involvement by foreign actors intensifies the crisis and prompts urgent questions about international responsibility.
International reaction and legal scrutiny have been growing — though yet to change the situation on the ground. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres has repeatedly expressed deep alarm, calling the hunger crisis one of the worst humanitarian disasters in decades. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk described the killings of aid‑seekers as “unconscionable” and UN agencies warned that using starvation as a weapon of war is strictly prohibited.
Human rights organisations have produced damning reports. Human Rights Watch documented at least eight strikes on aid convoys or facilities — despite coordination efforts to prevent such attacks. Amnesty International accused Israel of deliberately inflicting starvation on a civilian population — calling it a crime of genocide. Their findings state that Israeli authorities had full awareness of the harm caused yet persisted regardless.
In a rare move towards accountability, legal action has been initiated. On May 20, 2024, the International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant. The charges include war crimes and crimes against humanity related to the starvation campaign in Gaza. While this represents a major step in international justice, the violence has continued unabated.
Despite mounting evidence and global condemnation, major governments have largely failed to take meaningful action. The United States continues to provide military support and political cover to Israel. Critics warn this enables continued aggression and undermines international law. The muted response from many nations suggests that some lives — especially Palestinian lives — are treated as less valuable on the world stage.
On the ground, the situation is dire. Gaza’s healthcare system is on the verge of collapse due to shortages of medicine, clean water and electricity. Hospitals are overwhelmed with wounded civilians, many of whom were shot at aid queues. Children and elderly people are most at risk, suffering from malnutrition, dehydration and fear.
The world must act now — decisively and collectively. A full and immediate ceasefire is needed to halt the bloodshed. Humanitarian aid must be granted safe and unrestricted access. Donor nations should insist on protection for civilians and accountability for violations. And individuals and organisations responsible for war crimes — including those using starvation as a weapon — must face justice, regardless of rank or nationality.
If the world does not stand up today, the tragedies in Gaza will not only stain the current generation but also set a precedent that civilian suffering is acceptable in future conflicts. For Gaza’s starving and bereaved families, indifference is not only cruel — it is complicity.
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