"Starving Gaza": Al Jazeera Film Shows U.S. Keeps Arming Israel as It Uses Hunger as a Weapon of War

Summary

The documentary 'Starving Gaza' highlights the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where malnutrition and starvation are rampant due to Israel’s blockade on food, fuel, and water. Palestinian doctors, journalists, and families share heart-wrenching stories of malnourished children and fatalities caused by the lack of aid. Despite reports from U.S. and international agencies that Israel is deliberately blocking humanitarian assistance, U.S. officials continue to deny this. The film sheds light on the devastating impacts of the blockade and the complicity of global powers in Gaza's ongoing suffering.

Takeaways

• 🍽️ Gaza is facing a deliberate man-made famine, with accusations against Israel for cutting off essential supplies like food and fuel.
• 🚨 A new documentary, *Starving Gaza*, investigates the impacts of Israel's blockade on civilians seeking aid, including attacks on humanitarian networks.
• 🏥 Palestinian doctors in Gaza, like Dr. Ahmed Nasser, are struggling with the increasing number of malnourished children, lacking sufficient resources.
• 👶 Malnutrition and starvation have caused the deaths of many children, with hospitals overwhelmed and unable to treat the rising number of cases.
• 💔 The documentary shares stories of families who lost children, such as 2-year-old Khaled, who died of malnutrition during the ongoing conflict.
• 📹 The filmmakers worked with local Palestinian reporters and cameramen in Gaza to document these events, as foreign journalists are prohibited from entering.
• ⚖️ The film also exposes how the U.S. is aware of these conditions but continues to support Israel, with critics accusing the U.S. of complicity in the blockade.
• ❌ Stacy Gilbert, a former U.S. State Department official, resigned after reports about Israel blocking humanitarian aid were downplayed by the U.S. government.
• 🎥 Palestinian journalists in Gaza face personal danger, including displacement and loss of family members, yet continue to document the humanitarian crisis.
• 📑 The documentary highlights contrasting views between former officials who claim Israel deliberately blocks aid and current U.S. State Department statements denying such accusations.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the news discussed in the script?

The main subject is the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, focusing on a deliberate man-made famine allegedly caused by Israel, which is blocking food, fuel, and medical aid from entering Gaza, as highlighted in the documentary 'Starving Gaza' by Al Jazeera English.

What accusations are made against Israel in the documentary?

The documentary accuses Israel of using starvation as a tactic of war by blocking humanitarian aid, leading to widespread malnutrition and deaths, especially among children. It highlights the deliberate obstruction of food, fuel, and medicine deliveries to Gaza.

Who is Dr. Ahmed Nasser, and what role does he play in the documentary?

Dr. Ahmed Nasser is a Palestinian doctor working at Kamal Adwan Hospital in Gaza. He is featured in the documentary discussing the malnutrition crisis among children and the severe lack of resources to treat them.

How has the U.S. government been implicated in the crisis?

The U.S. government is criticized for its complicity in the crisis by continuing to support Israel with military funding, despite knowledge of Israel's actions in blocking humanitarian aid. Former State Department official Stacy Gilbert resigned after the U.S. administration downplayed Israel's role in obstructing aid.

What challenges do Palestinian journalists face in reporting from Gaza?

Palestinian journalists face immense challenges, including daily bombardments, displacement, and the loss of family members. Despite these hardships, they continue to document the crisis and send footage under extremely difficult conditions, including poor internet connectivity and personal trauma.

What tragic personal story is shared by one of the Palestinian journalists in the documentary?

The documentary highlights the story of Palestinian journalist Hussein Jabber, whose four-year-old daughter, Selma, was shot and killed by Israeli forces while running toward him. His other daughter narrowly survived, and he himself was injured during the incident.

What is the role of Stacy Gilbert in the documentary, and why did she resign?

Stacy Gilbert was a senior adviser in the U.S. State Department. She resigned after 20 years of service, disagreeing with how the U.S. administration handled reports on Israel's obstruction of humanitarian aid. She felt the administration deliberately downplayed Israel’s role, allowing continued military aid to Israel.

What specific examples of aid obstruction are mentioned in the documentary?

Examples include delays in customs checks causing food to spoil, denial or delay of visas for aid workers, and sporadic opening and closing of the border crossing to let limited aid in, never enough to meet the population's needs.

How does the documentary contrast the statements of Stacy Gilbert and the U.S. State Department?

The documentary contrasts Gilbert's resignation and her claims that Israel is deliberately blocking aid with the U.S. State Department’s statement that while there are obstacles, Israel is not deliberately obstructing aid. This discrepancy highlights a potential cover-up of the true extent of the crisis.

What broader message does the documentary 'Starving Gaza' convey about the situation in Gaza?

The documentary conveys that the situation in Gaza is dire, with a deliberate famine impacting the most vulnerable, particularly children. It emphasizes the role of international governments, especially the U.S., in perpetuating the crisis through continued military aid to Israel and failure to hold it accountable.