Israel's Man-Made Famine in Gaza and the Collapse of Public Health

Jul 17, 2025
44 mins

Episode Description

Since October 2023, Israel's siege on Gaza has turned food — the most basic human need — into a weapon of war.

Today, the entire population is on the brink of famine. Babies are dying. Mothers can't produce milk. And even if food is allowed in, for many, it may already be too late — because refeeding after starvation can be just as deadly.

Nearly 800 Palestinians have been killed just trying to access food at the U.S. and Israel have backed a aid network called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation — run by private American military contractors and coordinated with the Israeli army. Instead of relief, these sites have become militarized "death traps" where hungry Palestinian are met gunfire.

Our guest is Dr. Yara Asi — a Palestinian public health expert who's been sounding the alarm since the start of this genocide.

We talk about the science of famine, the deadly effects of starvation and refeeding, and how Gaza's food system — and its people — are being systematically dismantled.

 

- - - - -

Support our work

Help us continue our critical, independent coverage of events in Palestine, Israel, and related U.S. politics. Donate today at https://mondoweiss.net/donate

Share this podcast

Follow The Mondoweiss Podcast wherever you listen

We want your feedback!

More from Mondoweiss

Subscribe to our free email newsletters:

Follow us on social media

 

See all episodes