Impact of Israel’s Siege on Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis in the Making
Israel has imposed a blockade on the Gaza strip since 2007, as a part of an economic war intended to cripple Hamas, the rival political organization in control of this region. Although this might seem like an abstract political strategy, the harsh reality is that it has far-reaching destructive consequences for innocent civilians, specifically the vulnerable newborns and struggling mothers.
It is a matter of great concern that the gravest victims of this conflict are innocent children who are dying of hunger and malnutrition due to lack of access to essential food and healthcare. As per reports from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the number of Palestinian infants dying from malnutrition-related causes is steadily on the rise as the relentless Israeli blockades limit the accessibility to essential food supplies.
Gazan mothers are also trapped in a chronic cycle of suffering as they grapple with the daily challenge of nourishing their children in an environment of religious strife and economic deprivation. Nutrient deficiencies are common in breastfeeding mothers due to the limited food supply. This, in turn, impacts the quality of breast milk and maternal health, further marring the physical and cognitive development of newborns.
However, it’s not just a short-term crisis. The enduring blockade has obstructed Gaza’s economy, leading to an alarming rate of unemployment and pushing over 80 percent of the population into dependency on international humanitarian aid. The amalgamation of economic blockade, continual warfare, and poor governance has made Gaza one of the toughest places on earth to live and raise children.
The struggle of the Gazan people is exacerbated by substantial difficulties in accessing primary health services. The lack of medical equipment and inadequate infrastructure raises numerous challenges for health workers to provide appropriate care to malnourished children and their mothers.
Hunger and lack of nutrition during early stages of life cause irreversible damage to children’s physical growth and cognitive development. Undernourished children are more likely to suffer from chronic diseases, have deficit learning capacities, and have lower productivity in their later lives.
Despite these dire conditions, the people of Gaza continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience. They are using creative techniques to grow food in their backyards, on rooftops, or in small patches of unused lands, in attempts to counter the devastating effects of the blockade. Mothers in particular are improvising feeding practices and taking extra measures to ensure their children get enough nutrition.
However, these aren
