Donald Trump could stop Gaza’s famine. Instead he’s following Biden’s lead | Mohamad Bazzi

Gaza’s ongoing humanitarian crisis has garnered increased attention recently, with a global hunger-monitoring group confirming that Gaza’s largest city is experiencing an “entirely man-made” famine. The situation arises largely from Israel’s blockade and military strategies, which critics argue constitute a deliberate campaign of starvation. This dire situation has raised concerns about the complicity of the international community, particularly the United States, and how political leadership shapes responses to humanitarian crises.

### Famine in Gaza: A Humanitarian Crisis

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has issued its first formal declaration of famine in Gaza, identifying critical thresholds indicating widespread food shortages, acute malnutrition, and rising mortality rates among children. Despite this alarming confirmation, the global response has been underwhelming, leading to a sense of moral failure among Western powers, particularly the U.S. As the largest supplier of weapons and political support to Israel, the U.S. holds significant power over the situation in Gaza.

Images depicting suffering families and emaciated children have circulated widely, yet the world’s response has often boiled down to a collective shrug. Humanitarian aid organizations report a severe bottleneck at Gaza’s borders, where sufficient food supplies exist but are blocked from reaching those in desperate need. Many analysts and humanitarian experts assert that this blockade, supported politically and militarily by the U.S., constitutes a form of collective punishment against the Palestinian population.

### U.S. Political Leadership: Trump vs. Biden

Since the onset of this crisis, the leadership dynamics between former President Donald Trump and current President Joe Biden have shaped the U.S. response to Israel’s actions. Trump has voiced his support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose administration seems increasingly disconnected from international pressure to alleviate suffering in Gaza. Trump’s recent comments regarding the suffering in Gaza reflect an awareness of the humanitarian issues, yet his administration has remained silent on direct actions that could alleviate the famine. This inaction perpetuates a cycle of suffering.

Similarly, the Biden administration has faced criticism for its unconditional military support for Israel while neglecting urgent humanitarian considerations. This unwavering commitment comes amid mounting evidence that suggests starvation and deprivation have been weaponized against the civilian population in Gaza. The humanitarian aid chief at the U.N. has noted that the accumulated food supplies at the borders are stymied by systematic obstruction from Israel, alluding to a need for more forceful international intervention.

### The Role of International Institutions

Famine declarations rarely result in effective, immediate action due to the bureaucratic nature of global governance structures. The IPC’s findings have significant implications, serving as an institutional acknowledgment of the failures surrounding Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. However, the challenge lies in translating this acknowledgment into tangible aid that reaches the affected populations without hindrance.

Historically, prior famine declarations have spurred international attention and funding for those in need. The recent IPC declaration of famine in Gaza, however, has met a wall of indifference. This highlights a profound disparity in how the international community responds to crises based on political alliances rather than humanitarian necessity.

### Moral Responsibility and Complicity

The worsening situation in Gaza raises critical questions about moral culpability in international responses to humanitarian crises. The Israeli government’s unyielding stance alongside U.S. political support for its military campaigns has led to devastating consequences for Palestinian civilians. Critics argue that allowing this situation to persist without sufficient intervention is tantamount to complicity in the ongoing suffering.

As Netanyahu continues to pursue aggressive military strategies aimed at achieving a lasting “victory” in Gaza, the global community’s collective silence and failure to act exacerbate the humanitarian crisis. Analysts emphasize that the resolution to the current conditions lies not only in the hands of regional leaders but also in the decisions made by global power players like the U.S.

### Conclusion: A Call to Action

The starvation and suffering of the population in Gaza represent a broader, systemic failure of the international community to uphold humanitarian ideals in the face of geopolitical interests. Moving forward, it is imperative for U.S. leadership—whether under Trump or Biden—to adopt a more humane approach to foreign policy that prioritizes the welfare of civilians over military objectives.

The hopelessness observed among Gazans can only be alleviated by concerted action from international actors, notably the United States, to alleviate the famine and support a political resolution. As the situation continues to unfold, the necessity for political leaders to confront their complicity in these preventable tragedies has never been more urgent. Only through an honest reckoning with the consequences of political decisions and a steadfast commitment to prioritizing human life can we hope to address the devastating humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza today.

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