Famine in Gaza: A timeline of how the hunger crisis is unfolding

Summary

The Gaza-Israel conflict has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. Since Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, Gaza has faced a complete siege, cutting off access to essential supplies like food, water, and electricity. Efforts to deliver aid have been severely hampered by border closures, heavy fighting, and logistical challenges, leading to famine conditions. Despite limited aid deliveries, the situation worsens, with reports of malnutrition, dehydration, and even deaths. International organizations, including the UN and aid agencies, have struggled to meet the needs of Gaza's population amid ongoing violence.

Takeaways

• 🚨 A humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Gaza as the Israel-Hamas war continues, severely impacting aid and water supplies.
• 🪖 Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, leading Israel to declare war and impose a complete siege on Gaza.
• 💡 On October 9, Israel cut electricity, fuel, and food supplies to Gaza, worsening the living conditions for its residents.
• 🔥 Humanitarian aid trucks began entering Gaza on October 21, but the amounts were limited compared to the needs of the population.
• 💧 By December 2023, 70% of southern Gaza's population had no access to clean water, with most residents fleeing to that region.
• 🥖 By late December, the entire Gaza population was reported to be experiencing a hunger crisis, with nearly all households skipping meals daily.
• 🚫 On February 20, 2024, the World Food Program suspended food deliveries to northern Gaza due to violence and civil chaos.
• 🇺🇸 The US conducted its first airdrop of food aid to Gaza in March 2024, but some reports mentioned people drowning while trying to retrieve packages.
• ⚠️ By April 2024, malnutrition and dehydration had claimed at least 20 lives in Gaza, as aid organizations struggled to deliver sufficient help.
• 💬 On April 10, 2024, a US official testified that famine was occurring in parts of Gaza, calling for urgent international action.

Q & A

What event triggered the Israel-Hamas conflict mentioned in the script?

The conflict was triggered by a surprise terrorist attack launched by Hamas in southern Israel on October 7th, 2023.

What measures did Israel take in response to the attack by Hamas?

Israel responded by declaring war against Hamas and ordered a 'Complete Siege of Gaza' on October 9th, cutting electricity and blocking fuel and food from entering the region.

When did the Gaza power plant run out of fuel, and what was the consequence?

The Gaza power plant ran out of fuel two days after the siege began, which would have led to a significant impact on the region's electricity supply.

How did the humanitarian aid situation change on October 21st?

On October 21st, humanitarian aid began to enter Gaza as the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip opened, allowing aid trucks to cross.

What was the condition of the water supply in southern Gaza according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency?

Philipe Lazzarini, the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, stated that 70% of people in southern Gaza had no access to clean water.

When did Israel open the Karam Shalom border crossing to allow more aid into Gaza?

Israel opened the Karam Shalom border crossing on December 12th to allow more aid into Gaza.

What was the IPC initiative's report finding regarding the hunger crisis in Gaza?

The IPC initiative reported on December 21st that 100% of the population in Gaza was experiencing a hunger crisis, with virtually all households skipping meals every day.

Why did the World Food Program suspend food deliveries to Northern Gaza?

The World Food Program suspended food deliveries to Northern Gaza due to 'complete chaos and violence' that made distribution unsafe.

What accusations have been made against Israel regarding the delivery of aid?

Aid organizations have accused Israel of not providing enough authorization to deliver sufficient aid and creating logistical challenges that result in bottlenecks.

When did the US conduct its first airdrop of food aid to Gaza, and what were the reported issues?

The US conducted its first airdrop of food aid to Gaza on March 2nd, airdropping over 38,000 ready-to-eat meals. Reports later emerged of Gazans drowning trying to obtain the airdrop packages that fell into the sea.

What was the highest number of trucks that entered Gaza in a single day since the war began, according to Israeli officials?

According to Israeli officials, the highest number of trucks that entered Gaza in a single day since the war began was 468 on April 9th.

What did Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development, testify on Capitol Hill regarding the situation in Gaza?

Samantha Power testified that it is 'credible to assess that famine is occurring in parts of Gaza' and called for the international community to give more, do more, and care more.