Gaza’s Dire Food Shortage Indicates Imminent Mass Death; Biden Issues A Strong Caution To Netanyahu On Potential Rafah Invasion; The Escalating Crises

Severe food shortages in certain areas of the Gaza Strip have surpassed famine levels, and widespread fatalities are now imminent unless an immediate ceasefire is implemented, along with a substantial increase in food aid to regions affected by conflict, according to statements from the global hunger monitor on Monday.

The Integrated Food-Security Phase Classification (IPC), whose assessments are relied upon by U.N. agencies, indicated that 70% of the population in parts of northern Gaza are experiencing the most severe form of food scarcity, exceeding the threshold for famine by more than threefold.

While the IPC lacks sufficient data on mortality rates, it estimated that residents could soon face famine-level casualties, defined as two deaths per 10,000 individuals daily due to starvation or related illnesses. 

Gaza’s health ministry reported 27 child deaths and three adult deaths attributed to malnutrition thus far.

Addressing the urgent need to avert famine, the hunger monitor stressed the necessity of an immediate political decision for a ceasefire, alongside a significant and immediate increase in humanitarian and commercial access to the entire population of Gaza.

With 1.1 million Gazans, approximately half of the population, experiencing “catastrophic” food shortages, about 300,000 individuals in affected areas are now at risk of famine-level mortality rates.

The looming threat of a manmade famine in Gaza has drawn sharp criticism of Israel from Western allies, following its military campaign against Hamas militants prompted by a deadly attack on Israeli territory on October 7th.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell condemned the situation, declaring, “In Gaza, we are no longer on the brink of famine. We are in a state of famine… Starvation is used as a weapon of war. Israel is provoking famine.”

In response, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz defended Israel’s actions and called for recognition of its right to self-defense against Hamas’ actions.

Efforts to deliver humanitarian aid have been hampered, with Israel alleging disruptions by Hamas militants and collaboration with the U.N.’s aid agency UNRWA.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres denounced the situation as “appalling” and demanded Israel allow complete and unrestricted access to all parts of Gaza.

British Foreign Minister David Cameron emphasized the urgent need for action to prevent famine, recognizing the current status quo as unsustainable.

Israel has stated its intention to increase access for aid delivery, including opening more routes by land and allowing sea shipments and air drops, though aid agencies assert they still face challenges in distributing supplies safely, particularly in northern Gaza.

Under Fire

Meanwhile, continuing their attack on Gaza City, the principal settlement in the northern region of the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces initiated a significant attack on Al Shifa Hospital during the night; once the largest hospital in Gaza, it now stands as one of the few medical facilities still partially operational in the northern territory. 

Israel claimed to have targeted over 20 Hamas combatants, including a senior Hamas commander named Fayeq al-Mabhouh, within the hospital premises. 

However, opposing Israel’s assertion, Hamas identified him as a Palestinian police official assigned to oversee the safeguarding of aid deliveries in Gaza.

Ceasefire Negotiations

Negotiations for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, now in its sixth month, were slated to resume on Monday, with an Israeli delegation led by the country’s intelligence chief en route to Qatar. 

However, an Israeli official expressed doubt, suggesting that finalizing any agreement would likely extend for at least an additional two weeks, thus disappointing Washington, which had aimed for a resolution before the commencement of the Ramadan holy month the previous week. 

The conflict commenced when Hamas militants launched an incursion into Israel, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the capture of 253 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

Thereafter, Israeli offensives claimed the lives of over 31,000 Gazans, as reported by Palestinian health authorities.

Special Forces Operation

The Israeli military disclosed that special forces, supported by infantry and tanks, executed a “precise operation” within the Al Shifa Hospital compound, based on intelligence indicating the hospital’s utilization by Hamas leaders. 

Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson, stated that “more than 200 terrorist suspects” had been apprehended and were undergoing interrogation, further noting the loss of one Israeli soldier during the operation.

Residents recounted witnessing some of the most intense clashes in northern Gaza in months. 

Mohammad Ali, a 32-year-old father residing near the hospital, described being awakened by the assault around 1 a.m. He reported the arrival of tanks and escalating gunfire and explosions near Al Shifa. 

Tragically, the Gaza health ministry confirmed casualties among displaced individuals within the hospital resulting from a fire sparked by the raid.

Biden’s Caution to Netanyahu Regarding Potential Rafah Invasion; White House

The United States has issued its most forceful public admonition yet to Israel concerning the prospect of an incursion into the densely populated city of Rafah within the Gaza Strip, asserting that such a ground operation would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in the besieged area.

National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan conveyed to reporters on Monday that President Joe Biden, while remaining steadfast in the objective of neutralizing Hamas, emphasized to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a significant offensive in Rafah would represent a “misstep.” 

Sullivan stated that such an action would result in more civilian casualties, exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation, deepen the chaos in Gaza, and further isolate Israel on the international stage.

Since the onset of the conflict on October 7, following a deadly assault on southern Israel that claimed the lives of at least 1,100 individuals, the Israeli military has reportedly caused the deaths of over 31,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

According to Sullivan, Biden urged Netanyahu during a phone conversation to dispatch a delegation of intelligence and military officials to Washington, D.C., to address concerns regarding a potential incursion into Rafah.

Throughout the duration of the conflict, Israel has directed Palestinian civilians in Gaza to relocate southward as it launched operations in the region from the north. 

Residents were initially displaced to the central area of the enclave before being compelled to move to the southern city of Khan Younis. Ultimately, they were forced to seek refuge in Rafah, situated along the Egyptian border. 

Over the past five months, Rafah’s population has surged to over 1.5 million people, a stark increase from approximately 300,000 before the conflict erupted.

Israeli leaders have consistently expressed their intention to enter Rafah, which serves as a crucial conduit for humanitarian assistance arriving through the Egyptian border. 

However, United Nations experts also have cautioned of an impending famine in the territory, and Western nations, including Israel’s European allies, have warned against any assault on Rafah.

On Monday, the United States unequivocally joined these appeals, with Sullivan stressing that Palestinians in Rafah have no alternative refuge. 

He highlighted that Gaza’s other major cities have been largely decimated, and Israel has yet to present a viable plan for relocating civilians safely, let alone ensuring their access to essentials such as shelter, food, and sanitation.

Sullivan reiterated that Biden maintains a profound commitment to Israel’s security, but he proceeded to critique Israel’s approach to the conflict.

“A military strategy cannot succeed without a comprehensive humanitarian and political strategy,” Sullivan informed reporters. “The president has consistently emphasized that ongoing military actions must be aligned with a clear strategic objective. Today, the president conveyed to the prime minister once again that while we share the goal of defeating Hamas, a coherent and sustainable strategy is essential for achieving that objective.”

Netanyahu and Biden have engaged in frequent phone conversations since October 7, but reports suggest a strained relationship between the two leaders, despite Biden’s unwavering support for Israel.

Last week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a staunch supporter of Israel and the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in Biden’s Democratic Party, characterized Netanyahu as an impediment to peace and advocated for new elections in Israel once the conflict begins to subside.

In response, the Israeli prime minister criticized Schumer’s remarks as “completely inappropriate” in an interview.

However, Biden viewed Schumer’s speech positively, acknowledging that it reflected concerns shared by many Americans.

Nonetheless, during an interview with MSNBC last week, Biden indicated that he is not prepared to leverage US aid and weapon transfers to pressure Israel into halting its actions against Palestinians.

“While the defense of Israel remains crucial, there are certain boundaries that, if crossed, would be unacceptable, resulting in a significant loss of Palestinian lives,” Biden remarked, alluding to Israel’s US-funded missile defense system, the Iron Dome.

Advocates for Palestinian rights have emphasized for months that mere criticism alone will not prompt Netanyahu to end the conflict, urging Washington to impose conditions on aid to Israel.

However, on Monday, the Biden administration reaffirmed its support for a foreign funding bill under consideration in Congress, which would allocate over $14 billion in additional assistance to Israel.