Even smell of cooking food is ‘total novelty’ in Gaza, says NGO

A UK-based charity official has voiced concern over the ongoing starvation in the Gaza Strip, saying that even the smell of cooking has become a “total novelty” these days.

Speaking to the Irish broadcaster RTE, Chris McIntosh, Oxfam’s humanitarian response adviser in the besieged Palestinian enclave, reiterated concern over the Israeli blockade that has caused starvation and malnutrition.

He underlined that malnutrition in children is a severe problem because it can cause developmental issues.

“Unlike adults, they don’t have the ability to spring back from a period of undernutrition and this affects brain development and a host of other health issues that will be with them for the rest of their lives,” said McIntosh.

He further noted that the sight of children searching for food in bins is common, while seeing people eating food becomes rare.

“To smell food being cooked is also a total novelty these days,” said the Oxfam official, expressing that the number of trucks allowed into Gaza is “minuscule” compared to what the needs are.

Labelling airdrops of humanitarian aid as an “embarrassing stunt,” McIntosh said they are not a dignified way to deliver aid.

He also rejected Israel’s claim that aid trucks waiting to enter Gaza do not meet security standards.

“The delays and denials are systemic and policy-driven and they have nothing to do with NGOs not meeting basic requirements or not following security rules,” added the NGO official.