Israeli restrictions on food security and supplies to the Gaza Strip have raised the level of food insecurity to emergency and catastrophic levels, as Gaza continues to suffer from famine and high mortality of children and acutely malnourished people, as the food crisis in the Gaza Strip is one of the most complex humanitarian crises in the contemporary world, with more than two million Palestinians living under a suffocating siege that limits the most basic necessities of life. "Israeli food restrictions" are one of the most severe manifestations of the blockade, with Israel controlling the entry of food and essential supplies into the Strip and preventing or delaying the passage of food under security pretexts. As this approach continues, food has become a pressure tool used in what could be called "hunger engineering", with the aim of subjugating populations and imposing a reality of ongoing suffering.
Background to the Israeli blockade and restrictions on food security
Since 2007, Israel has imposed a total blockade on the Gaza Strip, controlling all land, sea and air crossings. Over the years, this blockade not only restricted the movement of people, but also included food, medicine, and fuel.
With its war policy, Israel makes long lists of goods allowed in, often preventing the entry of items it deems unnecessary, such as fresh meat, dairy, and some types of vegetables and fruits, while allowing the entry of non-essential goods such as soft drinks or sweets. This paradox reveals a policy aimed at controlling the amount and quality of food up to the population.
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Israeli Restrictions on Food Security
Israel exercises its restrictions through several direct and indirect mechanisms:
- Control of crossings: All food shipments pass through Kerem Shalom, which is under tight security control. Trucks often delay by days or weeks, damaging fresh materials.
- Banned Lists: Israel makes dual-use lists, listing items that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, preventing the introduction of basic tools for agriculture or food processing.
- Fuel and energy restrictions: Blocking the entry of fuel stops the work of bakeries, coolers and farms, affecting local food production and storage.
- Complicated procedures: Each food shipment requires prior security clearance, making humanitarian access almost impossible in times of escalation.
As for the direct impact of these restrictions:
- Dora basic material and high price: With limited incomes, the amount of food available in the markets shrinks sharply, causing prices to rise beyond the capacity of the average citizen. Buying bread, oil or milk has become a luxury for many families, while most residents rely on limited relief assistance.
- Worsening malnutrition: United Nations organizations have recorded a rise in cases of severe malnutrition among children under five years of age and pregnant women, due to a lack of essential proteins and vitamins. In some areas, children are estimated to eat one simple meal a day, often without fresh meat or vegetables.
- Collapse of the agricultural sector: Restricting the entry of seeds, fertilizers and agricultural equipment has destroyed local productive capacity. Farmers are unable to access their land or market their produce, resulting in the collapse of the agricultural sector, which provided about 30% of local food.
Challenges to Relief Efforts to Unblock Food Security
- Despite international calls, humanitarian organizations face significant challenges in delivering aid to Gaza:
- Repeated closing of crossings or setting short crossing times.
- Lack of fuel to stop trucks and bakeries.
- Targeting distribution areas, which puts the lives of workers and beneficiaries at risk.
As a result, aid reaches only a limited proportion of those in need, while thousands of families remain without adequate food.
