Ask Haviv Anything Episode 35: Solving hunger in Gaza with Prof. Yannay Spitzer
Aug 8, 2025
Professor Yannay Spitzer, an economic historian studying food and hunger, discusses the stark realities of food insecurity in Gaza. He reveals misconceptions held by Israeli officials about the availability of food, showcasing the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by military actions. Spitzer highlights the challenges of aid distribution amidst Hamas's resource diversion and the chaotic economic conditions. He emphasizes the urgent need for stable governance to foster peace and improve living conditions for Gazans, shedding light on the complexities behind the hunger crisis.
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Hunger Versus Famine
- Hunger can mean prolonged calorie deficits that cause weakness, disease, and death among the vulnerable.
- Yannay Spitzer defines hunger as lacking basic calories over time, not the extreme visual of emaciation.
Food Anxiety And Stockpiling
- People in Gaza don't know if they'll have food in two days, so they hoard, ration, and alter consumption behavior.
- That uncertainty (food insecurity) raises demand and worsens shortages even when some supplies exist.
Ceasefire Masked Structural Shortages
- Massive deliveries during the January–February ceasefire created a temporary buffer that misled policymakers about sustained availability.
- When Israel stopped supplies, that buffer depleted and prices surged, exposing real scarcity.