Report on the Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

Recent events in the Gaza Strip indicate a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by significant civilian casualties and the systematic collapse of basic life-support systems. These developments represent a profound failure to meet several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning hunger, health, clean water, and peace.

Violations of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

Access to fundamental resources such as food and water has been critically compromised, leading to famine-like conditions and direct attacks on civilians seeking these necessities. This situation is in direct opposition to the aims of SDG 2 and SDG 6.

• Attacks on Water Access Points: An attack on a water distribution point in the Nuseirat refugee camp resulted in at least 10 Palestinian fatalities, including six children. This highlights the dangers faced by civilians attempting to access water, a core component of SDG 6.
• Widespread Water Crisis: Reports indicate a severe water crisis across the Gaza Strip, with available water often being contaminated and unsuitable for consumption. This lack of access to safe drinking water is a critical failure of SDG 6.
• Targeting of Food Aid Recipients: Civilians awaiting humanitarian aid have been repeatedly targeted. An attack on a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) aid distribution site in Rafah killed 34 people. Since late May, nearly 800 Palestinians have been killed in incidents related to aid distribution.
• Acute Malnutrition and Famine: The crisis directly undermines SDG 2 (Zero Hunger).
  1. At least 67 children have reportedly died from hunger since October 2023.
  2. The UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned of a sharp increase in malnutrition cases, noting that it has been blocked from bringing in humanitarian aid.

Impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The ongoing military operations have resulted in extensive loss of life, widespread injury, and the destruction of infrastructure, severely impacting public health and community stability, which are central to SDG 3 and SDG 11.

• High Civilian Casualties: Recent attacks have led to a high number of fatalities.
  • At least 59 Palestinians were killed in a single day across Gaza.
  • An Israeli airstrike on a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp killed 10 people.
  • Separate strikes in Gaza City and its refugee camps killed at least 14 more individuals.
  • A strike on a displacement tent in Khan Younis resulted in three deaths.
• Destruction of Housing and Forced Displacement: The systematic destruction of residential buildings and forced displacement of the population contravenes SDG 11, which aims to make human settlements safe, resilient, and sustainable.
  • Residential buildings were blown up in the Tuffah neighbourhood of Gaza City.
  • Nearly the entire population of over 2 million people has been forcibly displaced, creating a dire humanitarian situation and preventing any progress toward sustainable communities.

Breaches of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The conflict is characterized by actions that fundamentally violate the principles of SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all, and effective, accountable institutions.

• Escalating Conflict and Lack of Peace: The offensive has continued despite international calls for a ceasefire, with a reported death toll exceeding 58,000 Palestinians, a majority of whom are women and children. This represents a total failure of the “Peace” component of SDG 16.
• Accountability and International Justice: The international community has initiated legal actions in an attempt to uphold the “Justice” and “Strong Institutions” aspects of SDG 16.
  1. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli Prime Minister and former Defence Minister for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.
  2. Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) brought by South Africa.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

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

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  The article directly addresses the issue of extreme hunger and food scarcity. It explicitly mentions that “famine spreads in the besieged enclave and food and water supplies remain at critically low levels.” It also highlights the deaths of children from hunger and the desperation of people trying to access insufficient food aid, connecting directly to the goal of ending hunger.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article details significant loss of life and injuries resulting from military attacks, which is a direct antithesis to ensuring healthy lives. The mention of a “water crisis” with “contaminated” water, a “sharp rise in malnutrition cases,” and the killing of civilians at aid and water points all point to a severe public health catastrophe, linking the events to SDG 3.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article highlights a severe “water crisis across the Gaza Strip.” It states that people are being killed at water collection points and that the available water is often “not suitable for drinking as most of the time it’s contaminated.” This directly relates to the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The targeting of “residential areas,” “displacement camps,” and the destruction of “several residential buildings” are described. The article states that “Almost the entire population of more than 2 million people in Gaza have been forcibly displaced,” which undermines the goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article is centered on a violent conflict, describing a “genocidal offensive,” the deliberate targeting of civilians, and a massive death toll. This is in direct opposition to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies. Furthermore, the mention of legal actions at the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) connects the events to the target of promoting the rule of law at the international level and ensuring access to justice.

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

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger

   • Target 2.1: “By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.” The article shows a complete failure to meet this target, describing spreading famine, people killed while waiting for food, and aid parcels that are “not nearly enough to feed hungry children.”
   • Target 2.2: “By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition…” The report of a “sharp rise in malnutrition cases” and the fact that “At least 67 children have died of hunger” indicates a severe regression from this target.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.d: “Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.” The situation described, including the blockade preventing humanitarian aid and the overwhelming health crisis, demonstrates a collapse of risk management capacity.

3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The article’s description of a “water crisis” and “contaminated” water, forcing people to risk their lives for unsafe water, shows this target is not being met.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing…” The destruction of “residential buildings” and the forced displacement of “almost the entire population” directly contravene this target.
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The ongoing war is a man-made disaster causing immense death and suffering, as detailed by the casualty figures in the article.

5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.” The article provides extensive evidence of extreme violence and high death rates, citing figures like “more than 58,000 Palestinians” killed and daily casualty counts.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The reference to arrest warrants from the ICC and a genocide case at the ICJ highlights efforts to apply international law and seek justice in response to the events described.

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

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure the situation against the SDG targets.

• Prevalence of undernourishment (Indicator 2.1.1): The article states that “famine spreads” and that food parcels are “not nearly enough to feed hungry children,” indicating a high prevalence of severe food insecurity.
• Prevalence of malnutrition (Indicator 2.2.1): The article explicitly mentions a “sharp rise in malnutrition cases” and that “At least 67 children have died of hunger.”
• Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water (related to Indicator 3.9.2): While not a direct statistic, the description of “contaminated” water and a “water crisis” implies a high risk of death from water-related diseases.
• Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services (Indicator 6.1.1): The article implies this is near zero, stating there is a “water crisis” and the water is “not suitable for drinking.”
• Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population (Indicator 11.5.1): The article provides specific numbers of deaths (“10 Palestinians have been killed,” “at least 59 Palestinians,” “more than 58,000 Palestinians”) and affected persons (“Almost the entire population of more than 2 million people… have been forcibly displaced”).
• Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population (related to Indicator 16.1.1): The article provides numerous figures on civilian deaths due to intentional acts of violence, such as the “deliberate shooting by Israeli forces” and targeted bombings.
• Proportion of the population subjected to physical, psychological or sexual violence (Indicator 16.1.3): The entire narrative describes a population subjected to extreme physical and psychological violence through bombardment, displacement, and starvation.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: aljazeera.com