Kazem Abu Khalaf: The child malnutrition crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, and what is happening is a crime that cannot be ignored.

Dr. Aql Salah: The war of starvation is no less dangerous than genocide. Israel is using it as a new tool, taking advantage of the lack of international accountability and the silence of the Arab regimes.

Noman Abed: Countries exploit humanitarian aid for political blackmail and base their positions on economic and political interests rather than moral principles.

Dr. Tamara Haddad: The international system is turning a blind eye to the genocide and starvation in Gaza for political reasons and the strategic interests of major powers.

Nihad Abu Ghosh: The international system, as it currently stands, is designed to serve the powerful, with international laws and treaties being subjugated to the benefit of dominant states.

As the war of extermination continues in the Gaza Strip, Gaza, and especially its children, are facing systematic starvation. The blockade of humanitarian aid has continued for more than two months, and the situation is worsening catastrophically, amid repeated international warnings of the threat of mass famine and the complete collapse of the health system.

UN reports indicate a sharp rise in malnutrition rates among children, with cases of severe wasting reaching life-threatening levels.

Officials, writers, and experts, speaking separately to Al-Quds, say that in the absence of international political will to compel the occupation to open the crossings and allow the entry of vital supplies, humanitarian aid is becoming a political bargaining chip, manipulated at the expense of civilian lives. What is happening today is not just a humanitarian crisis, but a full-fledged crime that violates all international laws and ethical conventions.

They point out that despite repeated statements by international organizations and UN officials calling on the international community to take action to prevent famine and the dangers it poses to the people of Gaza, the global response remains limited to statements of condemnation and expressions of concern, with no concrete measures to halt this tragedy. Meanwhile, Israel continues to pursue a policy of mass starvation and forced displacement, amid blatant international complicity or inaction.

Humanitarian aid has been blocked for 61 days.

UNICEF spokesperson Kazem Abu Khalaf asserts that preventing the entry of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip for more than 61 days constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, considering what is happening to children in Gaza a crime that cannot be tolerated.

Abu Khalaf explains that this period is the longest since the war began on October 7, 2023, as "what is happening is taking place in full view of the entire world. Indeed, aid has become a bargaining chip, even though, according to international law, it should be delivered even during the darkest days of war, especially to civilians."

Abu Khalaf points out that international humanitarian law explicitly stipulates the need to "provide civilians with what will keep them alive, whether they choose to stay or flee." But in Gaza, Abu Khalaf asserts, "neither of these are available. Aid is prohibited, orders are issued to evacuate areas, and citizens are given the choice between leaving Gaza or starving to death."

Abu Khalaf asserts that what is currently happening represents increasing pressure on the people of Gaza, explaining that there are belated attempts, but they are beginning to take shape, to pressure the Israeli side to allow the entry of aid.

Abu Khalaf says, "Despite Israel's attempts at bargaining and pressure, it is legally obligated to allow aid into the country, and this is a settled matter."

Abu Khalaf stresses that what is currently required of the international community is to move from statements to action, saying, "Real pressure is what can bring about change. We don't just want condemnations, but practical steps that lead to the immediate delivery of aid."

Abu Khalaf asserts that there are active and influential parties in the international community that have the capacity and will, but are not taking action to protect their political interests.

Abu Khalaf says: "Unfortunately, some parties are watching and not caring if there is famine or children are targeted in Gaza."

The malnutrition crisis has reached catastrophic levels.

Abu Khalaf warns that the malnutrition crisis in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels, noting that there was a 172% increase in rates of moderate malnutrition among children in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to UN reports. This in itself is an indicator that things will deteriorate, and deaths due to malnutrition are increasing daily.

Abu Khalaf adds, "Malnutrition can only be treated with two main factors: time and nutritional supplements, and treatment requires six to eight weeks of continuous care."

Abu Khalaf explains that reaching the stage of severe emaciation in children is the most dangerous stage of malnutrition, a stage that directly threatens the child's life. He points out that the resulting damage extends far into the future, affecting the child's physical and psychological structure and overall development, and may even lead to irreparable damage.

Starvation war and extermination war

For his part, writer and political researcher Dr. Aqel Salah says that Israel is committing crimes of genocide and starvation against the Palestinian people. He considers what has been happening in the Gaza Strip for more than a year and a half to be a comprehensive, multifaceted war that constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and amounts to war crimes, amidst a suspicious international silence and unlimited support from the United States and Western countries.

Salah explains that the starvation war, which has been ongoing for nearly two months, is no less dangerous than a war of extermination, noting that Israel is using this policy as a new tool in its struggle against the Palestinians, taking advantage of the lack of international accountability and the silence of the official Arab regimes.

Salah believes that Israel is completely confident that it will not be held accountable, given the unwavering support it receives from the United States and the West. This explains its continued perpetration of crimes against Palestinians for 78 years without pause.

Salah explains that the Zionist ideology that governs Israel's behavior "loves killing, destruction, and siege," and during this war has transformed into a "criminal ideology," committing its crimes in full view of a world that applies double standards.

Crimes that transcend all values and principles

Salah points out that these crimes violate all the humanitarian and democratic values and principles long touted by Western countries. He explains that more than 50 Palestinian children have died of starvation so far, in a humanitarian catastrophe that could threaten the lives of more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Salah criticizes the Arab position, describing it as "deplorable and shameful," due to the lack of serious action to halt the tragedy, even in terms of providing food aid. This has encouraged Israel to escalate its operations against defenseless civilians.

Salah asserts that Israel's starvation policy aims to destroy the health and psychological well-being of Palestinians, causing fatal diseases such as malnutrition, anemia, and gastrointestinal and lung infections, all aimed at pressuring Palestinians.

Salah points out that among the most heinous crimes is Israel's bombing of civilians searching for food, amidst the silence of international organizations that have morally and legally failed in the face of these massacres and no longer possess any moral legitimacy to speak out on behalf of human rights.

Children in the Gaza Strip are "most affected"

For his part, writer and political analyst specializing in international relations, Noman Abed, warns of the humanitarian catastrophe facing Palestinian children in the Gaza Strip, asserting that they are "the most affected" by the genocidal war waged by the Israeli occupation.

Abed asserts that the siege, which began before October 7, 2023, and worsened afterward, specifically targets children by targeting hospitals, cutting off electricity, and using the most brutal weapons.

Abed explains that premature babies were among the first victims, many of whom died as a result of the failure of hospital life support equipment due to power outages.

Abed points out that the intense Israeli bombardment using missiles, aircraft, and bombs is turning children's lives into a daily hell, as they live in fear of the terrifying sounds of attacks.

Abed asserts that the comprehensive blockade imposed on Gaza, which intensified after October 2023, has led to a sharp deterioration in health and environmental conditions, exacerbating the suffering of children, women, and the elderly.

Abed points out that the occupation's closure of crossings and the denial of humanitarian aid have exacerbated malnutrition, particularly among breastfeeding mothers and children. He also points to warnings from international organizations that point to the dangers of mass death from hunger and epidemics.

Low immunity in children

Abed asserts that children's low immunity due to malnutrition, coupled with deteriorating health and environmental conditions, exposes them to deadly diseases, threatening an unprecedented humanitarian disaster.

Discussing the international situation, Abed criticizes the international community's silence and disregard for human values, noting that countries have become "slaves to their own interests," as savage capitalism and American influence dominate the international system.

Abed explains that countries exploit humanitarian aid for political blackmail, basing their positions on economic and political interests rather than moral principles.

Abed points out that this trend has been partly reflected in the positions of some peoples who have begun to identify with their governments' policies, ignoring the scenes of genocide and starvation facing 2.4 million Palestinians in Gaza.

Abed asserts that international and humanitarian warnings indicate that Gaza is facing the threat of mass death, amid the ongoing Israeli blockade and suspicious international silence. He calls for urgent action to save Palestinians, especially children, from this tragedy.

Double standards in the application of international laws

For her part, Palestinian writer and political researcher Dr. Tamara Haddad warns against the continued silence of the international community regarding the genocide being perpetrated against the Gaza Strip, particularly the systematic starvation policy that disproportionately affects children. She asserts that this silence stems from political and strategic motives related to the interests of major powers.

Haddad emphasizes that this silence reflects the prioritization of the political, security, and economic interests of Western countries, led by the United States and a number of European Union countries, over humanitarian principles and international law.

Haddad points to key reasons for this international silence, most notably the political and strategic motives that drive Western countries, particularly the United States, to prioritize their strategic alliance with Israel, which is considered a key ally in the region. This alliance goes beyond adherence to international humanitarian law, as Western countries justify Israel's actions as part of their "right to self-defense."

Haddad points to another reason: the double standards in the application of international law, whereby weak states are punished while strong or supported states, such as Israel, are granted immunity from punishment. She notes that the war on Gaza did not attract sufficient international pressure to halt the aggression, reflecting this selectivity.

The phenomenon of "normalization with tragedy"

Haddad emphasizes another reason: the institutional failure of international organizations, such as the United Nations, whose decisions are bound by the will of the permanent members of the Security Council, particularly the United States, which uses its veto power to block any resolutions condemning Israel or demanding an end to the war. This failure hinders effective action to stop the massacres and deliver humanitarian aid to combat the systematic starvation targeting civilians.

Haddad points to the phenomenon of "normalization of tragedy" as another reason for the current situation. The repetition of horrific scenes from Gaza has dulled the response of governments and people, diminishing the effectiveness of international pressure to halt the aggression. This normalization also extends to other violations in various parts of the world, exacerbating indifference to the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

Haddad points to another reason: biased Western media coverage, which promotes the Israeli narrative by justifying military operations as a means to recover hostages or eliminate Hamas rule.

This narrative, according to Haddad, diminishes the West's horror of the policies of starvation and killing of civilians, especially children and women, and negatively impacts international public opinion against Israel.

Haddad points to the ineffectiveness of international human rights organizations, such as those concerned with women's and children's rights, which suffer from a persistent paralysis in dealing with the Gaza issue.

A system not governed by the values of truth and justice

Haddad believes that the world is shifting towards a system governed not by the values of truth and justice, but by political and economic interests.

Haddad asserts that the application of international law in the Gaza conflict is selective and conditional on the interests of powerful states. The war on Gaza will not cease unless Israel meets its conditions, such as the release of hostages and the removal of Hamas from power. It may not cease even after these conditions are met. He links the continuation of the war to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remaining in power until mid-2026, as a cessation of the war could mean the collapse of his political career.

Haddad emphasizes that the decline in the status of international law is due to the lack of deterrence against international criminals, which encourages the continuation of violations without accountability.

This reality, according to Haddad, is leading to a humanitarian, legal, and moral crisis, as people's confidence in international law erodes, reinforcing the law of the jungle, where the strongest dominates militarily and economically.

Haddad cites statements by US President Donald Trump promoting the imposition of peace through military force.

Despite the pessimistic outlook, Haddad gives hope in popular pressure and its ability to change international positions, albeit slowly.

Haddad points to the importance of the advisory opinion to be issued by the International Court of Justice regarding the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, which could be adopted as a recommendation to the UN General Assembly and then submitted as a draft resolution to the Security Council to halt the aggression and end the famine that threatens 98% of Gaza's population with food insecurity.

Haddad asserts that these steps are crucial to confronting the policy of starvation and forced displacement imposed by the occupation, creating a new reality in the Gaza Strip.

Between direct partnership and silent complicity

Palestinian writer and political analyst Nihad Abu Ghosh, who specializes in Israeli affairs, says that the genocide being perpetrated against the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip is not merely a future threat, but rather comes within the context of a larger, horrific reality that the Strip's residents experience daily.

Abu Ghosh points out that this crime is manifested through continuous Israeli bombardment, daily massacres, forced displacement, starvation, cold, and diseases that are devastating civilians, amid international silence and the complicity of some international parties.

Abu Ghosh explains that the positions of countries and international bodies vary between direct partnership in support of Israel, as the US administration does, providing financial, military, and political support to the occupation, and silent complicity or impotence, represented by positions of condemnation and denunciation that fall short of the reality of the situation.

Abu Ghosh criticizes those positions that hold the Palestinian people and their resistance responsible for Israeli crimes, or that limit themselves to verbal condemnations without severing ties with the occupying state or imposing sanctions on it.

Although he praises the global solidarity movements with the Palestinian people, Abu Ghosh asserts that their impact remains limited compared to the speed and brutality of the Israeli war machine.

The need for real pressure on governments

Abu Ghosh calls for transforming these movements into effective pressure on governments to take serious positions and refuse to submit to US-Israeli hegemony, which portrays Palestinian suffering as an inevitable fate.

Abu Ghosh asserts that the international system, as it currently stands, is designed to serve the powerful, with international laws and treaties being subverted to benefit dominant states, led by the United States.

Abu Ghosh points out that this system, which was formed after World War II, was transformed after the collapse of the Soviet Union into a unipolar system dominated by Washington, which imposes its interpretation of international law and controls institutions such as the United Nations.

Abu Ghosh believes that attempts to move toward a multipolar system face fierce American resistance, especially under President Donald Trump, who seeks to re-divide the world according to his country's interests.

Abu Ghosh believes that Israel, exploiting its close ties to the United States, views the current situation as a historic opportunity to eliminate the Palestinian issue once and for all and impose its hegemony over the Middle East through peace terms backed by military force.

Abu Ghosh stresses the need to intensify popular and international efforts to stop these crimes against the Palestinian people and hold their perpetrators accountable.