The implications of the ongoing war on Gaza for food sustainability

Abstract

The Gaza Strip, a small and densely populated region in the Middle East, has endured escalating violence since Israel's occupation began in June 1967. The ongoing war has had devastating consequences, severely affecting socioeconomic and environmental aspects, particularly food systems. This work investigates the impact of the ongoing war on food security and food-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) from local, regional, and global perspectives. This review employed a qualitative research approach, specifically a comprehensive analysis of grey literature and official reports, complemented by a thematic synthesis of findings from peer-reviewed articles, to ensure a robust and multi-faceted examination of the topic. The findings reveal that the war and the prolonged blockade have caused acute food insecurity and malnutrition in Gaza due to widespread destruction of infrastructure, including food factories and bakeries, and restrictions on essential supplies like water, fuel, and medical resources. The review highlights the severe food poverty and hunger faced by Gazans while noting the setback to food sustainability and related SDGs. It also underscores the potential for broader regional or global crises, including disruptions to international trade and a worsening food crisis. Key recommendations call for urgent international collaboration to address food poverty, escalating hunger, and the growing risk of famine in Gaza. Efforts must focus on ending the war, restoring access to essential supplies, and implementing sustainable solutions to mitigate the humanitarian crisis. These actions are also critical to addressing broader regional and global implications, including threats to food security and trade stability.