User:Ali Ahwazi/sandbox2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illegal_drug_trade_in_the_United_States

War on Drugs
In 2016, 6 drug types accounted for nearly all drug trafficking offenses: Methamphetamine: 33.6% Cocaine: 19.8% Marijuana: 17.6% Heroin: 14.4% Crack: 8.1% Oxycodone: 2.8% Other: 3.7%

The top 5 districts for drug trafficking in 2016 were: Western District of Texas. Southern District of Texas. District of Arizona. Southern District of California. District of New Mexico. .................... Smuggling Although the DEA and other government agencies are working to stem the tide of drugs crossing U.S. borders, drug trafficking operations continue to evolve. For example, organizations are using encrypted technology and social media platforms to communicate during drug shipments and recruit new members to their organizations. These new smuggling techniques are making it harder for drug enforcement agencies to monitor criminal activities and crack down on widespread operations such as the Mexican drug cartels. .................................................................... Smuggling From January through November 2009, U.S. seizures of illegal drugs in transit exceeded 1,626 metric tons, indicating that DTOs succeed in moving several thousand tons of cocaine, methamphetamine, marijuana, heroin, and MDMA into the United States annually. There are unique smuggling and transportation methods associated with each drug type, but overall, drug seizure data and law enforcement reporting indicate that overland smuggling and subsequent transportation by vehicle exceed all other methods combined.

War on Drugs or Monitoring Some smuggling routes and methods for transporting cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the United States appear to have shifted, in part because of heightened law enforcement pressure, changes in drug production trends, and evolving market dynamics. There have been significant and prolonged shifts in cocaine smuggling routes that most likely have been caused by a combination of factors, particularly decreased cocaine production in Colombia, but also enhanced counterdrug efforts in Mexico, high levels of cartel violence, sustained interdiction pressure, and cocaine flow to non-U.S. markets, especially Europe. In 2007, a decline in the amount of cocaine seized along the Southwest Border in the South Texas region--the predominant cocaine smuggling route at the time--resulted in a sharp decline in the amount of cocaine seized overall. As seizure totals for South Texas declined, seizure totals for California POEs began trending upward. Since 2007, cocaine seizures at California POEs have equaled or exceeded seizure totals at South Texas POEs; nonetheless, overall seizure totals remain lower than the seizure totals recorded before the significant decline was noted. Although no single cause for the decline in overall seizures can be identified, multiple factors--including a sharp decline in cocaine production in 2008 (see Figure 7 in Cocaine section) and enhanced GOM counterdrug efforts--likely contributed to the decrease in amounts being transported from South America to Mexico and ultimately to the Southwest Border. Moreover, several exceptionally large seizures of cocaine destined for Mexico from South America in 2007 may have initiated the trend. These seizures coincide with the decline in seizures along the Southwest Border and were followed by an unprecedented decline in cocaine availability in many markets in the United States.

Conversely, heroin seizures along the Southwest Border have been increasing, most likely as a result of the growing Mexican influence in heroin production and transportation. This increase in Southwest Border heroin seizures coincides with a decrease in heroin seizures from commercial airlines. In 2008, the total amount of heroin seized along the Southwest Border (556.1 kg) exceeded the total amount of heroin seized from commercial airlines (398.1 kg) for the first time (see Table 2). This shift appears to be directly related to production trends and the changing roles of DTOs. For the past several years, production estimates for Mexican heroin, which is transported primarily overland across the Southwest Border, steadily increased to record levels in 2008. Furthermore, Mexican DTOs have become increasingly involved in the transportation of South American heroin. Meanwhile, production estimates for South American heroin, historically transported into the United States via commercial air, have steadily declined (see Figure 2). This increased availability of Mexican heroin, coupled with increased involvement of Mexican DTOs in trafficking South American heroin, likely have resulted in significantly greater quantities of heroin being transported across the Southwest Border. ..................................................... Smuggling The primary threat from drug smuggling via private vessels is from Caribbean-based traffickers exploiting the Puerto Rico and Florida coastlines. Traffickers transported mostly cocaine from the Dominican Republic to Puerto Rico, although they smuggled lesser amounts of heroin and MDMA, sometimes commingled with cocaine loads. Caribbean traffickers also smuggled cocaine, heroin, and marijuana from the Bahamas to areas of South Florida between Miami and Palm Beach. Seizure totals and routes remained relatively constant compared with those of previous years.

Despite the fact that sizable quantities of drugs are seized annually from commercial maritime vessels arriving in the United States, the dominance of Mexican trafficking organizations as the primary transporters of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and methamphetamine to the United States results in commercial maritime seizure totals that are far less than Southwest Border seizure totals. Seizure data for 2009 show that the amount seized from commercial maritime vessels remains less than 1 percent (6,015 kg of 828,223 kg) of the amount seized at the Southwest Border. Law enforcement reporting confirms that Caribbean and South American traffickers are more likely than Mexican traffickers to take advantage of commercial maritime vessels as a smuggling conveyance to supply their much smaller U.S. distribution networks. Moreover, large quantities of drugs seized at U.S. ports are often destined for distribution in countries other than the United States. Many drug shipments concealed in commercial maritime containers by Caribbean and South American traffickers are intercepted by U.S. authorities as they transit the United States en route to markets in Europe and Asia. .........................................

Gangs
Crips And Bloods Crips and Bloods are two rival gangs based in Los Angeles, California. Their origins are disputed, but some reports from the time suggest that Crips was born as a neighborhood protection gang in 1971, and Bloods was formed in response to the growing power of the Crips. Both the gangs eventually evolved into influential criminal organization involved in drug trafficking and extortion, as well as violent crimes like robbery and murder. Crips and Bloods have a long-standing rivalry that has resulted in numerous violent clashes over the years. It’s fueled by a complex mix of factors, including territory, reputation, and personal conflicts between various gang members. Both are known for their heavy use of graffiti, hand signs, and colors to identify themselves. The gangs’ criminal activities have led to a lot of violence and devastation in the communities they operate in, with innocent bystanders often getting caught in the crossfire. Despite various efforts by law enforcement, however, Crips and Bloods remain a major problem in many urban areas of LA.

..................................................................................................... ................................................................. Latin Kings  (gang) Latin Kings was formed in Chicago in the 1960s as a predominantly Mexican and Puerto-Rican street gang. They’re known to be involved in multiple criminal activities, like drug trafficking, burglary, homicide, identity theft, and money laundering, as well as high profile assassinations of law enforcement officers in cities across the United States. Currently, Latin Kings operate under two umbrella factions, Motherland and Bloodline, for their Chicago and New York Chapter, respectively. The group first got media attention in the 1980s and 90s, when they were associated with several gang-related murders and other crimes across Chicago. With over 160 chapters and 20,000 – 35,000 members around the country, Latin Kings is easily one of the largest gangs in the US, with a strong presence in multiple cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. ..........................................................................

Gangster Disciples Black Gangster Disciple Nation – later renamed to Gangster Disciples – is a prison and street gang formed in Chicago in the 1960s. It was founded by the merger of two gangs led by Larry Hoover and David Barksdale – the Black Disciples and Supreme Gangsters. It’s a predominantly African American gang involved in activities like drug trafficking, extortion, and murder.

While Gangster Disciples have a significant presence in the Midwest, particularly in Chicago and Detroit, the gang is also known to be active in other parts of the country like the East Coast and the South. It has grown into a large and powerful group in recent years, with an estimated 25,000 – 50,000 members spread across the United States. ........................................................... Aryan Brotherhood The Aryan Brotherhood started out as a white supremacist prison gang formed in response to race wars against rival black gangs. Over the years, it has grown into one of the most feared criminal organizations in the country, with many of its members openly sporting tattoos of Nazi insignia and other fascist symbols. Members of the Aryan Brotherhood primarily operate in prisons, though they’re also quite active on the streets. The group is involved in a wide range of criminal activities like drug trafficking and extortion, and while it’s not as large as other gangs like the Mexican Mafia, the Aryan Brotherhood remains a potent force in the criminal underworld. While law enforcement agencies have been working to dismantle the Aryan Brotherhood for decades, the group’s highly-structured hierarchy and its members’ fierce loyalty to the organization make it difficult to infiltrate. Still, there have been numerous high-profile arrests of Aryan Brotherhood members in recent years, and many of its leaders have been sentenced to long terms in prison. Despite these efforts, however, the Aryan Brotherhood continues to operate as an influential and fairly-large gang in multiple parts of the country.

Activities and types The gang characterization is sometimes broadly extended beyond the street and/or youth designation to include terrorist gang, prison gang, motorcycle gang, or criminal gang as in organized crime. As noted by gang researcher Malcolm Klein, “in each of these instances, the word ‘gang’ implies a level of structure and organization for criminal conspiracy that is simply beyond the capacity of most street gangs.” (2004:57) To remain in business, organized crime groups such as drug cartels must have strong leadership, codes of loyalty, severe sanctions for failure to abide by these codes, and a level of entrepreneurial expertise that enables them to accumulate and invest proceeds from drug sales. In contrast, “most street gangs are only loosely structured, with transient leadership and membership, easily transcended codes of loyalty, and informal rather than formal roles for the members.” Very few street or youth gangs meet the essential criteria for classification as “organized crime.” And while some street gangs may have ties to established prison gangs and/or have incarcerated members who remain connected to the gang, it is important not to equate street and prison gangs, since substantial differences exist between them. Some notable examples include the organized, collective drug trade, strong ties, and covert behavior among prison gangs, compared with less structured, more individualistic drug trade, highly fluctuating ties, and overt behavior among street gangs.

Greece
Thousands of people rallied in Athens against Greece’s deployment of a warship to the Red Sea as part of the European Union’s Aspides mission and Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza. Some members of the Greek Armed Forces were present at the rally, which took place in the central Syntagma Square.

The protesters carrying banners with anti-US and anti-Israel slogans, Anadolu Agency reports. The demonstrators chanted full-throated slogans for Palestine’s freedom while carrying Palestine flags and displaying banners with slogans condemning the US, EU and Israel for decades of bloodshed in the Middle Eastern country. …………………………………………………………………..

Iceland
Locals in Iceland have held regular protests outside the Icelandic government’s cabinet meetings since the most recent conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7. Protesters are calling on the government to condemn Israeli authorities for their actions and use its influence to call for a ceasefire in the conflict. Iceland abstained from voting on a ceasefire in an emergency meeting of the UN last month. Call on government to condemn Israel’s actions

Iceland was the first Western country to officially recognise Palestine’s independence and support for the Palestinian cause is fairly strong among the Icelandic public. The Iceland-Palestine Association chaired by Hjálmtýr was founded in 1987.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson, who recently took on the position after resigning as Minister of Finance stated that he was not consulted on the UN General Assembly ceasefire vote. In a recent press conference, he refused to call Israel’s bombing of refugee camp Jabalia as an “attack on a refugee camp,” insisting it was “a matter of how you approach it.” ……………………………………..

Ireland
Further protests against the war in Gaza were held, including a rally of thousands of people in Dublin and a demonstration by healthcare workers at the Israeli embassy.

Tens of thousands of people attended a march to protest the war in Gaza in Dublin city on Saturday, calling for the end to the conflict. The march, which began at Garden of Remembrance shortly after 1pm, was to finish at St Stephen’s Green. Leila Shomali (29), who is originally from Palestine, said she was concerned the world would become desensitised to the war. “I think that’s something that we should not allow to happen because genocide should not be normalised and tolerated,” she said. Ms Shomali, who is undertaking a PhD in international law and moved to Ireland two years ago, said she has been “distraught” watching what had been happening in Gaza. “It’s my people, and it’s very personal to me. But seeing the type of solidarity that the Irish people have demonstrated towards Palestinians has given me a lot of hope,” she said.

Thousands of people have marched through Dublin city centre in a protest against Israel’s military operations in Gaza. The Pro-Palestinian march began at around 1.30pm from the Garden of Remembrance and proceeded along the city’s main thoroughfare O’Connell Street before arriving outside the Department of Foreign Affairs. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and held placards critical of the Irish, US and Israeli governments. Demonstrators accused Israel of committing genocide as they chanted “free, free Palestine” and “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”.

Participants variously called for a ceasefire in Gaza, the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to Ireland, and for the Irish government to support South Africa’s case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) alleging that Israel is committing genocide.

Italy
Chants of "Shame" and "Free Palestine" reverberated through the air as demonstrators highlighted the atrocities in Gaza. Despite the peaceful intentions of the protest, tensions escalated as clashes broke out between demonstrators and security forces stationed at the RAI building. Reports emerged of police resorting to batons to disperse the crowd, resulting in injuries to 10 people, including five protesters and five security personnel.

More than 1,300 exhibitors from almost 40 countries are showing at the Vicenzaoro fair, which opened on Friday and runs until Tuesday, according to organisers. A spokesperson told AFP the clashes took place several kilometres away and had no impact on the event, while declining to give information on the Israeli presence at the fair. Vicenza mayor Giacomo Possamai said there was "no justification" for the violence. "It also hurts the causes that it claims to support -- it is a contradiction in terms to demonstrate for peace and a ceasefire through violence," he said in a statement posted on social media. ………………………………………………… Police in central Italian cities forcefully dispersed protesters, predominantly students, advocating for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on Friday, escalating tensions and drawing condemnation. The demonstrators, aiming to gather at central locations in Pisa and Florence, were met with resistance from law enforcement. In Florence, where investigators intended to stage a demonstration in front of the US consulate, police intercepted them at a central square, leading to clashes and injuries. Video footage aired by Italian media depicted officers wielding truncheons against the protesters as they attempted to breach the blockade. According to reports from the scene, some protesters sustained head injuries during the altercation. Outraged teachers, who witnessed the violence near a high school in Pisa, lambasted the police's handling of the situation, accusing them of resorting to brutality without attempting dialogue.

Latvia
Latvia's foreign minister on Friday called the plight of civilians in Gaza a "grave concern" as Israeli attacks have caused a "humanitarian catastrophe."

"Right now it is not clear to me at all how a military operation ongoing in Gaza, is attaining its military goals," Krisjanis Karins said in response to a question by Anadolu at the 60th Munich Security Conference. Karins said ongoing Israeli attacks are causing a "humanitarian catastrophe," in the besieged Palestinian enclave, where thousands of civilians have been killed in Israeli attacks since Oct. 7. He stressed the need for a two-state solution to end the current "endless cycle" of war. "Because this cycle is longer and older than I am. It has been (going on) my entire life, all of our entire lives. "This cycle has to be broken and the only way that it can be broken is with the second state being created and recognized and it has to be viable state," said Karins. ………………………………………………………………………..

Luxembourg
On Saturday, people gathered in Luxembourg City to condemn Israel's violence against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza strip as well as the West Bank. The organisers of the protest, the Committee for Fair Peace in the Middle East (CPJPO) calls on the Luxembourgish government to intervene at the International Court of Justice in the Hague in favour of South Africa's genocide case against Israel. Additionally, the CPJPO demands an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza. https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2160575.html ………………………………………………………. it was impossible to miss protesters' demands on Saturday afternoon on the Place de Clairefontaine, where the City's council authorised that protests demanding a ceasefire in Gaza could take place. However, the council did not authorise the march from Glacis to Hamilius despite it being requested in advance. Protesters demanded that the EU's association agreement with Israel must come to an end, arguing that "the EU must cease any security and military cooperation with Israel and impose sanctions."

Nathalie Oberweis from the Committee for Fair Peace in the Middle East (CPJPO) explains that "when the Israeli government decides to adhere to international law, respect conventions such as the Genocide Convention and other agreements, then the boycott and the sanctions can stop too. We're not demanding sanctions for fun. It is clear that the Israeli government is not slowing down with the bombings. They themselves declared that they won't stop. In order to foster peace, we need sanctions, and that means we must stop our political, economic, and diplomatic support." Here are a few reactions from the protest: "Just as in previous weeks, we are protesting here again as a genocide is taking place and we were taught to not look away or stand by idly when we can do something about it." "The images coming from Gaza are unbearable. 30,000 people killed with the majority being women and children. If this wasn't taking place in Gaza, the world would not just stand by and watch but here we are."

………………………………………………………… Child victims of war In the armed conflict between Israel and Palestine, many fatalities have been reported among Palestinian children, innocent victims often killed by mistake but sometimes callously shot by Israeli soldiers for no reason.

In the Gaza Strip where Israel declared war against Hamas, various Israeli confrontations and raids have resulted in the deaths of numerous children. The attacks often target public places that have turned into refuges for civilians, like schools, hospitals, etc. In addition to the lost lives, tens of thousands of children are injured and some are left disabled for life. “Flashbacks, nightmares, agoraphobia: even children are not spared from the repercussions of war,” UNICEF lamented after conducting a study about children living in the Gaza Strip. They are traumatized, with 88% afflicted by fear.

Right to Health Care In Palestine, the infant mortality rate is seven times higher than that of Israel. Indeed, 22 ‰ of Palestinian children die before the age of five. The causes of this high infant mortality rate are varied: anemia, nutritional deficiencies or even severe malnutrition.

Access to health care services can prove extremely problematic in Palestine due to the presence of the wall and checkpoints. Testimonies have been recorded of cases where families found themselves blocked by the Israeli army when they wanted to go to a hospital for treatment of their sick children. Sometimes, if medical treatment is delayed, the outcome can be fatal. During the conflict, many hospitals or clinics were also destroyed, depriving children of their right to health. ……………………………………………………………………………………. RAMALLAH, 29 October – The number of children reported killed in Gaza in just three weeks has surpassed the annual number of children killed across the world's conflict zones since 2019, Save the Children said.

Since October 7, at least 3195 in Gaza, 33 in the West Bank, have been reported killed, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza respectively. The number of children reported killed in just three weeks in Gaza is more than the number killed in armed conflict globally – across more than 20 countries – over the course of a whole year, for the last three years.

Children make up more than 40% of the 7703 people killed in Gaza, With a further 1000 children reported missing in Gaza assumed buried under the rubble, the death toll is likely much higher.

On Friday, Israeli forces announced "expanded ground operations" in the Gaza Strip, with Save the Children warning it will bring more deaths, injuries and distress while calling for an immediate ceasefire. …………………………………………………………………………… Save the Children Country Director in the occupied Palestinian territory Jason Lee, said:

“Three weeks of violence have ripped children from families and torn through their lives at an unimaginable rate. The numbers are harrowing and with violence not only continuing but expanding in Gaza right now, many more children remain at grave risk.

"One child’s death is one too many, but these are grave violations of epic proportions. A ceasefire is the only way to ensure their safety. The international community must put people before politics – every day spent debating is leaving children killed and injured. Children must be protected at all times, especially when they are seeking safety in schools and hospitals.”

It is reported that at least 6360 children in Gaza have also been injured, as well as at least 180 children in the West Bank, and at least 74 children in Israel. More than 200 individuals, including children, remain hostages inside Gaza.

The risk of children dying from injuries has never been higher, with the UN reporting that a third of hospitals across the Gaza Strip are no longer operational due to electricity cuts and a “total siege” by the Government of Israel blocking entry of goods such as fuel and medicine. According to Medicins Sans Frontiers/Doctors without Borders, resulting anaesthesia shortages have meant amputating children without pain relief.

Save the Children is gravely concerned that the unfolding expanded ground operations in Gaza by Israeli forces will unavoidably result in more child casualties, with children’s bodies particularly vulnerable to the explosive weaponry.

Save the Children calls for an immediate ceasefire. We call on all parties to the conflict to take immediate steps to protect the lives of children, and on the international community to support those efforts, as is their obligation. ……………………………………………………………

South Africa

Thousands of South Africans marched Saturday in Cape Town to protest Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip which have resulted in the deaths of more than 11,000 victims. The protest organized by several civil society groups drew protesters from various religious denominations, including Muslims, Christians and Jews. Demonstrators, holding Palestinian flags and banners with messages of solidarity with Palestinians, demanded an immediate cease-fire in Gaza. Secretary-General of the ruling African National Congress party, Fikile Mbalula, and ANC MP, Mandla Mandela, grandson of Nelson Mandela, asked the government to end diplomatic ties with Israel. They also demanded that the government close the Israeli Embassy in Pretoria. South Africa withdrew its entire diplomatic staff last week from Tel Aviv for consultation because of Israel’s war on Gaza. This week, the Foreign Ministry summoned Israeli Ambassador Eliav Belotsercovsky in connection with his recent alleged conduct relating to the war.

Belotsercovsky is accused of making disparaging remarks about those who speak out against attacks on Palestinians. “Ambassador Belotsercovsky is called upon to conduct himself in line with the Vienna Conventions, which accord heads of diplomatic missions certain privileges and responsibilities, key amongst which is to recognize the sovereign decisions of the host nation,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement late Friday. South African citizens have held more than a dozen protests since the Israel-Palestine armed conflict began Oct. 7. .................................................................... Tunisia Protesters like Alouj are part of a growing call for justice that has united countries across the Arab world. Even government critics joined the marches in Tunis, defying an order banning them from appearing at public gatherings. Their appearance was a reflection of the surge of public support for the Palestinian cause. On Tuesday, lawyer Ayachi Hammami was placed under such a ban for his activism work. Nevertheless, he and other critics of Tunisian President Kais Saied hit the streets to raise their voices in protest. .............................................................. Hundreds of Tunisians from various political and ideological backgrounds came together in Tunis to express their unwavering support for the Palestinian people. The Protest drew attention to the dire situation in Gaza, where approximately one million residents have been displaced due to a week of intensive Israeli bombardment "There isn't an event linked to Palestine that doesn't bring Tunisians of all political and ideological persuasions together, and in my opinion, Palestine is the cause that unites Tunisians," expressed Bahri Arbaoui, a demonstrator. Ammar Jmaai, another demonstrator said: "The Tunisian people, even if they have distanced themselves from politics in Tunisia and avoided political demonstrations, remain vigilant in the streets, especially when it comes to the issue of freedom." ..........................................................

Afghanistan They say that only distributing statements and sending messages of sympathy cannot help the Palestinian people, and that practical steps must be taken in this regard.

The protest comes amid a horrific war between Israel and Hamas that also caused death and injuries to hundreds of civilians including women and children. .................................................... Thousands of people in Afghanistan demonstrated on Friday in support of the Palestinians and against the intensifying Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Participants of a rally in Kabul asked the Islamic countries to join hands and counter the actions of Israel and its allies. Abdulhaq Hammad, a political activist, called the recent developments in Gaza “tyranny and terrorism by the world of infidels”. Religious scholar Abdul Sami Ghaznavi said: “Today is a proud day for you who have gathered in the heart of Kabul, Afghanistan, in support of the oppressed people and the heroic Mujahideen of Gaza.”

Some protesters said that they are ready to go to Palestine to support their struggle against Israel. “All our Muslim brothers have gathered here to support the Palestinian Muslim brothers. We support the people of Gaza. All the people of Afghanistan want to go to Palestine and stand by the Palestinian brothers,” Ibrahim, a protester, said. Abdullah, another protester, said in Arabic: “Translation: We have gathered here to defend the Palestinian Mujahideen. Look, Mujahideen, we are with you. O Mujahideen, we are with you. You are victorious, you are successful in this world and the hereafter.” .......................................

Famine
Alongside the crushing blockade, the Israeli military’s extensive airstrikes in the strip have resulted in widespread damage or destruction to objects necessary for the survival of the civilian population.

UN experts said on November 16 that the significant damage “threatens to make the continuation of Palestinian life in Gaza impossible.” Notably, Israeli forces’ bombing of Gaza’s last operational wheat mill on November 15 ensures that locally produced flour will be unavailable in Gaza for the foreseeable future, as highlighted by OCHA. Additionally, the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) said that the decimation of road networks had made it more difficult for humanitarian organizations to deliver aid to those who need it.

“Bakeries and grain mills have been destroyed, agriculture, water and sanitation facilities,” Scott Paul, a senior humanitarian policy adviser for Oxfam America, told the Associated Press on November 23.

Israel’s military actions in Gaza have also had a devastating impact on Gaza’s agricultural sector. The sustained bombardment, coupled with fuel and water shortages, alongside the displacement of more than 1.6 million people to southern Gaza, has made farming nearly impossible, according to Oxfam. In a report from November 28, OCHA said that livestock in the north are facing starvation due to the shortage of fodder and water, and that crops are increasingly abandoned and damaged due to lack of fuel to pump irrigation water. Existing problems, such as water scarcity and restricted access to farming land near the border fence, have compounded the difficulties faced by local farmers, many of whom are displaced. On November 28, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said that Gaza is suffering from at least a US$1.6 million daily loss in farm production.

On November 28, the Palestine Food Security Sector, led by the WFP and the Food and Agriculture Organization, reported that over a third of agricultural land in the north had been damaged in the hostilities. Satellite imagery reviewed by Human Rights Watch indicates that since the start of the Israeli military's ground offensive on October 27, agricultural land, including orchards, greenhouses, and farmland in northern Gaza, has been razed, apparently by Israeli forces. ........................................................... Reactions United Nations The Israeli government should immediately cease using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare, Human Rights Watch said. It should abide by the prohibition on attacks on objects necessary for the survival of the civilian population and lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip. The government should restore water and electricity access, and allow desperately needed food, medical aid, and fuel into Gaza, including via its crossing at Kerem Shalom.

Concerned governments should call on Israel to end these abuses. The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and other countries should also suspend military assistance and arms sales to Israel as long as its forces continue to commit widespread and serious abuses amounting to war crimes against civilians with impunity.

“The Israeli government is compounding its collective punishment of Palestinian civilians and the blocking of humanitarian aid by its cruel use of starvation as a weapon of war,” Shakir said. “The deepening humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza calls for an urgent and effective response from the international community.” ...................................................... Evacuation challenges On October 13, Israeli authorities issued an order for more than a million people to evacuate northern Gaza within 24 hours – an order that was impossible to comply with. Since then, and as conditions in the north worsened, hundreds of thousands have been displaced to Rafah and Khan Younis governorates in the south, where it has become increasingly difficult to secure the means to survive. Under international humanitarian law, evacuations must be carried out under Famine According to the WFP, there is a serious risk of starvation and famine in Gaza. UN officials have said that 1.9 million people, over 85 percent of Gaza's population, are internally displaced, adding that the conditions in an ever-shrinking southern area of the Gaza strip could become “even more hellish.” Water supply As of December 6, the only water desalination plant in northern Gaza was nonfunctional and the pipeline supplying water to the north from Israel remained closed, increasing the risk of dehydration and waterborne diseases arising from the consumption of water from unsafe sources. Hospitals have been particularly hard hit, with only 1 of 24 hospitals in northern Gaza functional and able to admit new patients, although services are limited, as of December 14. ....................................