Gaza's Humanitarian Crisis

Israel's 21-month-long conflict with Hamas is taking a huge toll of Palestinian lives

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Prospects for a cessation of hostilities between Israeli forces and Hamas in Gaza—mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt—appear elusive, with US special envoy Steve Witkoff stating that Hamas showed a "lack of desire to reach a ceasefire". Israel is ready only for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate the return of 50 hostages still held in Gaza, only half of whom are alive. Hamas seeks guarantees that this ceasefire would evolve into a permanent cessation of hostilities, besides the full resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which Israel has blocked since March. Ceasefire or no ceasefire, these inflows must resume as starvation stalks the 2.1 million citizenry of the Strip. Around 115 people have so far died from hunger, including 80 children, according to the Gaza health ministry. Malnutrition is surging, with 90,000 women and children in urgent need of treatment, according to the World Food Programme. As if all this were not tragic enough, Israeli forces have killed 1,026 hungry Palestinians who thronged the limited food d