Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Comprehensive Failure to Uphold Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of the Deteriorating Situation

United Nations officials have reported to the Security Council that conditions in Gaza have reached “unspeakable” levels, marked by a severe regression on key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ongoing conflict, initiated after the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks and subsequent Israeli military campaign, has resulted in a catastrophic humanitarian situation, directly undermining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Violations of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

The civilian population in Gaza is experiencing a profound crisis that directly contravenes the principles of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Reports from the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, highlight a complete breakdown of essential life-sustaining systems.

• Food Scarcity: A critical shortage of food, exacerbated by blockades and restrictions on aid, has led to rising malnutrition, directly opposing the targets of SDG 2.
• Health System Collapse: The region’s health system is described as “shattered,” preventing access to essential medical care and contributing to preventable deaths, a severe setback for SDG 3.
• Civilian Casualties: The pursuit of food and basic necessities has become a life-threatening activity, with civilians being killed while trying to provide for their families.

The latest figures from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) underscore the failure to protect civilian lives, a core component of SDG 3. As of the latest report, casualties include:

1. Total Palestinian fatalities: 58,380
2. Child fatalities: 17,921 (approximately 31% of the total)

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell noted this equates to “an entire classroom” of children killed daily, representing a grave failure to ensure the health and well-being of the most vulnerable populations.

Challenges to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The conflict highlights a significant failure to achieve SDG 16, which calls for peace, justice, and the establishment of strong, accountable institutions. Israel’s military operations have been criticized by UN human rights experts for defying international humanitarian law, which mandates the protection of civilians.

International institutions are attempting to address these alleged violations and enforce accountability, in line with the objectives of SDG 16. Key actions include:

• International Criminal Court (ICC): The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• International Court of Justice (ICJ): The ICJ is actively hearing a case filed by South Africa which alleges that Israel is violating the Genocide Convention. The court has issued provisional measures ordering Israel to prevent genocidal acts and facilitate the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

These legal proceedings underscore the international community’s effort to uphold justice, yet the unabated conflict demonstrates a profound crisis in achieving the peace and security fundamental to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger: The article directly addresses this goal by highlighting severe food shortages, rising malnutrition, and the deliberate obstruction of food and aid, which threaten the population’s access to sufficient and nutritious food.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This goal is central to the article, which describes a “shattered health system,” “soaring child deaths,” and high civilian casualties, all of which are antithetical to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s core theme revolves around the breakdown of peace and security. It details “ceaseless bombardments,” the killing of civilians, violations of international humanitarian law, and the involvement of international judicial bodies like the ICC and ICJ, all of which fall under this SDG.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food. The article shows a complete failure to meet this target, stating, “Food is running out,” and describing Israel’s “blockades and restrictions on food and aid.”
  • Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition. The article explicitly mentions “rising malnutrition” as a critical issue, indicating a regression from this target.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Target 3.2: End preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age. The article highlights the catastrophic failure to protect children, citing “soaring child deaths” and the killing of “17,921 children.”
  • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage. The description of a “shattered health system” and overwhelmed “field hospitals” demonstrates the collapse of health service access, which is the opposite of this target.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article details the opposite, with “ceaseless bombardments” and a high death toll of “58,380” Palestinians.
  • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The killing of “17,921 children” is the most extreme form of violence against children, directly contravening this target.
  • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice. The article points to a breakdown of the rule of law, citing Israel’s alleged defiance of “international humanitarian law” and the need for intervention from the “International Criminal Court (ICC)” and the “International Court of Justice (ICJ).”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• For Target 2.1 (End Hunger): The article implies a lack of food access through descriptions like “Food is running out,” people getting shot while “seeking it,” and “blockades and restrictions on food and aid.”
• For Target 2.2 (End Malnutrition): The direct statement of “rising malnutrition” serves as a qualitative indicator of the worsening situation.
• For Target 3.2 (End Child Deaths): A specific quantitative indicator is provided: “17,921 children” killed since October 2023.
• For Target 3.8 (Universal Health Coverage): The description of a “shattered health system” and overwhelmed “field hospitals” serves as a qualitative indicator of the collapse of health services.
• For Target 16.1 (Reduce Violence and Deaths): A direct quantitative indicator is the number of fatalities: “Palestinian fatalities at 58,380 since October 2023.”
• For Target 16.2 (End Violence Against Children): The number of child fatalities, “17,921 children,” is a stark indicator of the failure to protect children from violence.
• For Target 16.3 (Promote Rule of Law): The article provides qualitative indicators of the breakdown of international law, including the issuance of “arrest warrants” by the ICC and the ICJ hearing a case alleging violations of the “Genocide Convention.”

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: jurist.org