US-Funded Report Confirms Famine in Gaza, Denials Continue

Famine Confirmed in Gaza

• 💡 A US-funded hunger monitor, Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET), has concurred with the UN-backed IPC that famine is occurring in Gaza.
• ⚠️ The report indicates that famine is likely worse in northern Gaza, with projections of its spread to other areas by the end of September unless immediate action is taken.
• 🎯 FEWS NET, funded by USAID and now under the State Department, cited Israeli actions including blocking aid and restricting food as direct causes for the crisis.

Official Denials and Data Discrepancies

• 🚫 Despite the FEWS NET and IPC reports, U.S. officials and Israeli leaders continue to deny responsibility and dismiss the findings.
• 🤥 The denial often involves discrediting data from the Gaza Health Ministry, even though historical assessments suggest its data has matched Israeli assessments.
• 📊 The famine review committee uses stringent processes, including surveys and measuring children's arm circumference, to confirm famine, indicating a rigorous methodology beyond simple data collection.

Historical Precedents and Policy Implications

• ⚠️ The current situation echoes past instances where US administrations have pressured organizations like FEWS NET to retract famine reports, particularly during critical periods of conflict.
• 🗣️ The US State Department's response to inquiries about the FEWS NET findings was a generic statement, pointing to past acknowledgments of starvation but refusing to boost data from the Gaza Health Ministry.
• 🇺🇸 The guest hosts express concern that the Trump administration, like the Biden administration, may continue to support Israel's actions without accountability, despite clear evidence of a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Broader Context and Public Response

• 🌍 The denialism and deflection tactics are seen as a continuation of Israeli propaganda efforts (Hasbara) to shift blame for the crisis onto Hamas.
• 💔 The hosts express frustration and helplessness, noting that despite widespread awareness and protests, the US government continues to provide military aid and support Israeli policies.
• 📉 The conversation highlights the difficulty for Democrats to criticize current policies when they themselves supported similar actions under the Biden administration, suggesting a bipartisan consensus on serving certain interests.