Slate Daily Feed What Next | Will Israel Starve Gaza Into Submission?
Jun 11, 2025
Alex de Waal, Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation and author of "Mass Starvation," discusses the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where two million are at risk of starvation. He explores how food is manipulated as a weapon in conflict and the psychological toll of famine on families. The podcast highlights personal stories from individuals coping with hunger and the urgent activism surrounding food scarcity. It also critiques the chaotic aid distribution amidst violence, revealing the erosion of trust within the local population.
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Mahawish's Starvation Experience
- Mohamed Mahawish survived severe hunger in Gaza by pretending to eat and telling food stories with his family.
- He experienced malnutrition and the psychological impact of starvation before escaping Gaza.
Starvation as Man-Made Weapon
- Starvation is often man-made and used as a weapon by controlling authorities.
- Societies with survival knowledge, like grandmothers teaching wild food gathering, can better endure famines than relying on delayed aid.
Food Control in Conflict Zones
- Food ration control in conflict zones aims to isolate insurgents by limiting civilian movement and food access.
- This strategy causes severe social and personal humiliation, fracturing community bonds during famine.
