Urgent call for action as starvation crisis unfolds in Gaza

As starvation grips Gaza, reports indicate that children are dying from hunger, while medical staff struggle to provide care under extreme conditions.

The Independent reveals that the humanitarian crisis has reached alarming levels, with even doctors fainting due to lack of food.

AntiWar.com reports that at least 15 more Palestinians have succumbed to starvation amid a blockade supported by the United States, while Israeli forces are reported to have killed 72 Palestinians in a single day.

In a statement, the Institute for Public Accuracy highlighted the urgent need for international intervention.

Michael Fakhri, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, stressed that the world has been aware of Israel’s intentions to starve the Palestinian population since October 9, 2023, when these plans were publicly announced.

Fakhri pointed out that for the last twenty months, governments have had ample opportunity to prevent the worsening situation.

He noted that the International Court of Justice confirmed the existence of famine in Gaza earlier this year, creating a legal obligation for nations to act. “Countries must step in to end starvation,” he stated, calling on the UN General Assembly to act, especially given the U.S. veto power at the Security Council.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has echoed these sentiments, urging the formation of an international coalition to lift the siege on Gaza and provide essential aid.

“This is the hour for moral leadership. This is the time to uphold the values we claim to defend,” he declared, emphasising Malaysia’s willingness to collaborate with nations across the globe to restore humanity and compassion in the face of suffering.

Ousman Noor from Protect Palestine is advocating for a global campaign to deploy an international military force aimed at safeguarding Palestinian civilians and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Recent commentary by Fakhri in The Guardian cautioned that without immediate aid, the lives of 14,000 infants are at stake. Fakhri has previously called for armed UN peacekeepers to protect aid convoys, stating that failing to act could lead to a dire situation reminiscent of dystopia.

Delina Hanley, executive editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, has also voiced her support for a petition calling for the UN General Assembly to deploy an Emergency Armed Multinational Protection Force to Gaza.

The coalition includes endorsements from various groups, including DAWN, highlighting growing consensus on the need for urgent international action.