KQED's Forum Starvation in Gaza Persists Despite Increased Aid Deliveries
Aug 7, 2025
Bel Trew, Chief International Correspondent for The Independent, reports on the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Tjada D'Oyen McKenna, CEO of Mercy Corps, sheds light on the challenges of delivering much-needed aid such as clean water and food. Youmna ElSayed, a Palestinian journalist, shares firsthand experiences of desperation from Gaza's residents. The discussion delves into the emotional toll on aid workers, the inadequacies of current aid systems, and the urgent calls for international intervention to alleviate suffering.
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Ineffective and Dangerous Aid Airdrops
- Bel Trew described witnessing aid airdrops from Jordanian military planes dropping food pallets with parachutes into Gaza.
- These drops are inefficient, costly, dangerous, and often fail to reach the most vulnerable, with some aid lost to the sea or stolen by gangs.
Ceasefire Needed for Aid Access
- A full ceasefire and the restoration of a UN-led aid delivery system are needed to effectively address starvation in Gaza.
- Aid workers require safe access and multiple distribution points so vulnerable populations can obtain food securely without risking their lives.
Journalist Silenced Amid Gaza Crisis
- Youmna El Sayed shared personal pain of being unable to speak openly with family in Gaza due to their suffering and strict reporting restrictions in Egypt.
- She described the daily dehumanization and desperate conditions under Israel’s prolonged blockade that have led to systematic starvation.