Thu Feb 05 16:35:19 UTC 2026: ### Gaza Starvation Crisis: A Deliberate Strategy Culminating in 2025

The Story: An analysis reveals that the severe hunger crisis in Gaza was not merely a byproduct of war but a calculated strategy that reached its deadliest peak in 2025. Starvation deaths surged by 760 percent in just 12 months, with 422 deaths recorded in that year alone. The crisis disproportionately affected the elderly and children, with cases among children under five spiking dramatically. Experts and officials attribute the crisis to a decades-old Israeli policy of using food and aid as a weapon, intensifying after the 2007 blockade and escalating during the 2023 war.

Key Points:

  • Starvation deaths in Gaza rose from 4 in 2023 to 422 in 2025, a 760% increase.
  • In 2025, 40.63 percent of starvation victims were elderly (over 60), and 34.74 percent were children.
  • Cases of malnutrition among children under five increased from 2,754 in January to 14,383 in August 2025.
  • Before the 2023 war, 500 aid trucks were needed daily; during the war, only an average of 19 trucks were allowed in, a 96% reduction.
  • Israel implemented a “scorched earth” policy, destroying an estimated 90 percent of agricultural land and 2,500 chicken farms.

Critical Analysis:
The provided news article paints a grim picture of the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon in Gaza, a situation that tragically peaked in 2025. The historical context of escalating tensions and the statements by Israeli officials solidify claims of a calculated strategy. The alarming increase in starvation deaths, coupled with the destruction of agricultural infrastructure and the restriction of aid, strongly suggests a systematic effort to deprive the Gazan population of basic necessities.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Gaza starvation crisis was not an accidental consequence of war but a result of deliberate policies.
  • The targeting of agricultural infrastructure exacerbated the food shortage, making the population more dependent on external aid controlled by Israel.
  • Starvation tactics were allegedly employed to weaken Palestinian resistance by affecting the social base that embraces it.
  • The crisis has resulted in long-term physical and political scars that could take decades for a generation of Palestinians to heal.

Impact Analysis:

The long-term impacts of this crisis are profound. Gaza’s agricultural backbone has been destroyed, making it permanently reliant on external aid, which Israel can control. The physical and psychological trauma inflicted on the population, particularly children, will have lasting consequences. The accusations of deliberate starvation could lead to further international scrutiny and legal challenges against Israel. The manipulation of aid delivery systems could also fuel resentment and instability within Gaza, undermining any efforts toward peace and reconciliation.

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