Gaza’s Famine and the West’s Reckoning

The Crime Against Humanity

As Israel continues to block the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza, the United Nations has officially declared a famine in the region—a designation reserved for the most catastrophic levels of food insecurity. UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the crisis as a “man-made disaster” and “a failure of humanity itself,” underscoring the deliberate nature of the conditions that have led to widespread starvation. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed this sentiment, calling the situation a “moral outrage” and urging immediate international action. The declaration marks a grim milestone, with Gaza becoming the first non-African region to meet the IPC’s criteria for famine since the system was established.

In response to the escalating humanitarian crisis, Germany has announced a partial suspension of arms exports to Israel, specifically targeting weapons that could be deployed in Gaza. This policy shift reflects growing public pressure, with recent polls showing overwhelming support among German citizens for tighter controls. Germany is Israel’s second-largest arms supplier after the United States, accounting for approximately 30% of its imports. While core defense systems such as air and maritime technologies remain unaffected, the suspension signals a recalibration of Germany’s strategic posture and a growing willingness to confront ethical concerns in foreign policy.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands has entered a period of political upheaval following the resignation of Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp. His departure, along with the mass resignation of ministers and state secretaries from his party, the New Social Contract (NSC), was triggered by internal resistance to his push for stronger sanctions against Israel. Veldkamp had advocated for a ban on imports from Israeli settlements and visa restrictions targeting far-right Israeli officials—measures that clashed with the positions of coalition partners. The resignations deepen the crisis within the caretaker cabinet and reflect a broader European reckoning with the moral and political dimensions of the war in Gaza.