Israel is ramping up its military actions in Gaza, aiming to displace residents and manage the flow of aid, further traumatizing those who have already faced chronic displacement and food scarcity during a 19-month conflict.
Since March 2, Israel has barred all aid from reaching Gaza, following a temporary ceasefire with Hamas, which had improved access to food and medicine, allowing many to return to their homes.
Aya, a 30-year-old resident of Gaza City, shared her fears upon hearing about Israel’s recent announcements. After returning home during a brief ceasefire, she now worries about the possibility of being evacuated again. “Would you die this time?” she asked in a text message.
She expressed concerns about the potential for being driven out once more, questioning whether they would end up in Rafa, near the Egyptian border, and if that would be their final destination.
Mohammed Al Seikaly recently attended a funeral for victims of an Israeli airstrike on a building. He described the situation as dire and said that the plans for escalating the Israeli attack were incomprehensible.
“Nothing in the Gaza Strip seems untouched by missiles or explosions. The threat of intensified operations remains,” he noted.
On Tuesday, local health officials reported that Israeli forces killed at least 13 Palestinians across Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the intensified military campaign as “intensive,” asserting that it aims to retain seized areas while ensuring the safety of Palestinians.
Food Shortage
According to one Israeli official, the strategy involves relocating civilians to the south, managing aid distribution, and hindering food from reaching Hamas. The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Cooperation criticized this approach, calling it contrary to necessary measures.
Tamer, a resident of southern Khan Eunice, voiced concerns about potential control over food distribution. He questioned whether Israel would implement a system to determine who would receive assistance.
2.3 million people in Gaza are experiencing food shortages, with many surviving on just one meal a day. The World Food Program reported on April 25 that food supplies in the area are dwindling.
Flour is scarce, and the occasional bags that are found can cost up to $500, a stark increase from the $7 price prior to the conflict, according to Aya.
“They are starving us, so we might agree to anything. We just want the war to stop. Take the hostages, do whatever it takes,” she said.
Some residents resort to eating weeds or leaves, while others are turning to sea turtles for food.
Israeli officials maintain that sufficient food exists in Gaza, but the head of the Israeli military warned that immediate action on supply is needed, according to the official broadcaster Kang.
Hamas, which has governed Gaza since 2007, accused Israel of weaponizing food against the people of Gaza.
Israeli reports indicate that the conflict began after an attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken.
According to local health officials run by Hamas, Israeli actions in Gaza have led to more than 52,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily civilians, leaving much of Gaza in ruins.
