Economist Podcasts Hunger strikes: Agony in Gaza as Israel blocks aid
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May 13, 2025 
Anshul Pfeffer, the Israel correspondent for The Economist, and Rajan Sambhog, the Business affairs editor at the publication, delve into the urgent crisis in Gaza. They discuss the severe humanitarian impact of Israeli military actions and aid blockades, highlighting the desperate need for a ceasefire. The arrival of Donald Trump in Saudi Arabia signals shifting regional dynamics amid these tensions. Additionally, they touch on the complexities of hunger strikes and the broader implications for international diplomacy in the area.
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Gaza Faces Severe Aid Blockade
- Israel has blocked food and medicine from entering Gaza since the ceasefire broke down, causing severe hunger and shortages.
- Israeli officials admit food supplies in Gaza may run out within days, amplifying the humanitarian crisis.
Aid Used as Leverage in Gaza
- Israel requires humanitarian aid to bypass Hamas control to avoid their leveraging aid for power.
- This limits aid distribution severely due to Hamas control of many Gaza areas, weaponizing aid as leverage.
Israel's Gaza Military Expansion Plans
- Israel plans to occupy much of Gaza, displacing populations to new distribution hubs while targeting Hamas fighters.
- Despite presence on the ground, Israel has not fully defeated Hamas after a year and a half of operations.