Nothing has entered Gaza for over 50 days, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis. Charity kitchens warn they are close to shutting down, leaving two million people on the brink of starvation. Reports highlight the desperate conditions in the Gaza Strip, where families are struggling to survive on just one meal a day. Trash and sewage are piling up, and disease is spreading rapidly.
Al Jazeera’s Hani Mahmoud shared a grim picture of the situation, describing long lines of people waiting for food. Many are forced to search through garbage to find scraps or materials to cook with. The headlines are filled with phrases like “utter desperation,” as civilians face relentless military attacks. People are selling their belongings just to afford basic food items, and begging has become rampant.
Since March, nearly 600 children have been killed, and about 1,600 more have been injured. Hospitals are running low on medical supplies, with no relief in sight. Recent airstrikes have intensified the suffering, with at least 10 people killed in a shelter for displaced families. Just a day later, airstrikes destroyed a school and a hospital, resulting in 39 more deaths. In the aftermath, a distraught man questioned the targeting of civilians, challenging the Israeli military’s claims of targeting militants.
International leaders, including those from France, Germany, and Britain, have expressed horror at the conditions in Gaza. They are urging Israel to lift its blockade, which they describe as creating “intolerable” living conditions. French President Emmanuel Macron has been particularly vocal, insisting that the suffering of civilians must come to an end. However, Israeli politicians appear determined to continue their actions against the population of Gaza.
In the United States, former President Donald Trump has offered little support for the Palestinian people. He recently shared a satirical AI-generated video of a revamped Gaza, which sparked criticism. In April, he called for a U.S.-led “Peace Force” to create a “Freedom Zone” in Gaza, a statement that raised eyebrows given his previous stance on foreign military involvement.
Trump has also hosted Netanyahu in Washington, despite an arrest warrant for the Israeli Prime Minister for alleged war crimes. His administration has taken steps to suppress pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses, labeling institutions like Harvard as “anti-Semitic.” This move has instilled fear among students who speak out against the Israeli government’s actions.
As Trump escalates his rhetoric against perceived anti-Semitism, public opinion in the U.S. is shifting. A recent Gallup poll shows that support for Israel has dropped significantly, reaching a 25-year low. Many Americans are increasingly aware of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
Relief efforts for the people of Gaza seem distant, overshadowed by economic issues and political squabbles in the West. The ongoing violence and suffering raise questions about how future generations will view the current situation. Will they see us as peacemakers or as bystanders to a tragedy? The world must confront its role in this crisis and take action before it’s too late.