International Criticism Grows Amid Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Israel Delivers Aid by Land and Air
Chaos Continues with Injuries from Airdrops and Truck Looting
The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, governed by the Palestinian armed group Hamas, announced that the number of deaths caused by starvation has risen to 147. On July 28, Yonhap News reported that the Gaza Ministry of Health claimed, "Fourteen additional deaths have occurred in the past 24 hours," and a total of 147 people, including 88 children, have died due to hunger and malnutrition. In its statement that day, the Ministry of Health also reported that since the outbreak of the Gaza war on October 7, 2023, a total of 59,921 Palestinian residents have died and 145,233 have been injured.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a press release on the 27th that 63 people died from malnutrition in the Gaza Strip in July alone, calling it a "dangerous level." Reuters·Yonhap News
In response to ongoing international criticism that the prolonged blockade of the Gaza Strip has intensified the humanitarian crisis, Israel resumed airdrops of relief supplies into Gaza on July 26 and announced measures such as a daily 10-hour pause in fighting in densely populated areas starting the following day. In a statement released that day, the Israeli military said, "Under political directives, we are continuing activities to improve the humanitarian response in Gaza in cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan, and others," and confirmed that 20 pallets of food were airlifted into the area that day.
On the first day of the ceasefire on the 26th, relief supplies were steadily brought in, but due to aerial drops from the sky, there were multiple injuries. Photo by UPI and Yonhap News.
However, on the first day of the ceasefire, although relief supplies were brought in, the airdrop method resulted in a number of injuries as supplies fell from the sky. International organizations evaluated these measures positively, but also emphasized the need for more proactive food assistance. Tom Fletcher, United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief, stated, "A massive amount of relief supplies is needed to prevent a health crisis akin to famine and catastrophe."
Trump: "I will build food centers in Gaza" Expresses commitment to solving hunger
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned in a press release on July 27 that 63 people died from malnutrition in Gaza in July alone, calling the situation "at a dangerous level." According to the WHO, 24 of those who died from hunger in July were children under the age of five. In the first two weeks of July, 5,000 children received outpatient treatment for malnutrition, and 18% of them were diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition (SAM), which is life-threatening.
The WHO also stated, "Since May 27, 1,060 people have died while trying to obtain food," and added, "Not only starvation but also desperate food begging is causing deaths." However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) indicated on the same day that, "When people approach the border, the IDF makes efforts to allow humanitarian aid. That is exactly what happened over the weekend," suggesting that relief support will continue to be limited.
As international criticism of the Gaza Strip grew, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his determination to resolve the situation by announcing plans to establish a food center. Photo by Xinhua News Agency and Yonhap News Agency
In response to the IDF's position, Hamas immediately objected, claiming that Israel has no intention of resolving the hunger crisis in Gaza. According to CNN, Hamas criticized Israel's latest decision in a statement, calling it "nothing more than a deceptive measure to conceal its own image." Hamas also argued that Israel's allowance of humanitarian aid corridors is "a blatant policy to manage, not end, hunger," and that it "threatens the lives of civilians and undermines their dignity."
As international criticism of the situation in Gaza intensified, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his intention to resolve the crisis by announcing plans to establish food centers. On July 28 (local time), during a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at his golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, President Trump stated, "We must meet the humanitarian needs of Gaza," and added, "We will set up food centers and work with very good people." He continued, "We will provide funding, and we have secured trillions of dollars. Since we have secured a lot of funds, we will use a small portion for food." Trump explained that not only the United States but also the United Kingdom and the European Union (EU) would participate in the effort to build food centers in Gaza. He also emphasized that "people will be able to walk in, and there will be no borders. We will not install fences" regarding the food centers.
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