From Acute Food Insecurity to Famine: The Struggle of Gazans for Food Security
摘要
The recent war (October 2023–January 2025) on Gaza has triggered a profound humanitarian crisis, causing widespread destruction, deprivation, and suffering on a potentially unprecedented scale, with a grave risk of famine and severe food insecurity. This chapter examines the profound impact of this war in Gaza on Sustainable Development Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), emphasizing the acute food insecurity and escalating famine devastating the besieged region. The relentless bombardment and ground operations have devastated agricultural lands, livestock, the marine environment, and the fishing industry, destroying all critical food production infrastructure. The result has been severe shortages, exacerbating an already dire food crisis that some agencies deem unprecedented in this context. The blockade and continuous military actions have severely restricted the import of essential food supplies and fuel, hampering the ability to grow and process food locally. As a result, Gazans are left without sufficient access to basic nutrition, putting them at risk of famine. Moreover, there has been an alarming increase in the number of children succumbing to hunger and severe malnutrition in Gaza. Through detailed analysis of grey literature and scientific publications, this chapter sheds light on the devastating impact of this war on Gaza on food security, highlighting the multifaceted dimensions of this crisis. It highlights the urgent need for immediate international humanitarian intervention to address the crisis and implement sustainable solutions that will rebuild Gaza’s food systems, ensuring all Gazans have access to a sufficient and nutritious diet.