Podcast Summary: "Gazans Are Starving. It’s a Manmade Catastrophe."
Reveal, Hosted by Al Letson
Release Date: August 6, 2025
Introduction
In the poignant episode titled "Gazans Are Starving. It’s a Manmade Catastrophe," Reveal delves deep into the harrowing food crisis gripping Gaza. Hosted by Al Letson, the episode sheds light on the severe humanitarian situation exacerbated by ongoing conflicts, exploring both the macro-level geopolitical factors and the micro-level efforts of local organizations striving to alleviate starvation among Gazans.
Background of the Crisis
The episode opens with a stark portrayal of Gaza as a war-torn region following the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli and foreign casualties and the kidnapping of approximately 251 individuals. In retaliation, the Israeli government launched extensive strikes on Gaza, transforming it into a devastation-laden war zone characterized by rubble, dust, and widespread mortality.
Al Letson provides a grim overview of the current conditions:
"Tens of thousands of Palestinians have died, and for those who survived, the situation continues to be dire. Finding basics like milk, bread, and clean water is difficult, if not impossible." (00:23)
Data from the International Policy Center (IPC) indicates that one in three Gazans are experiencing severe food insecurity, with famine-like conditions prevailing across most of the Gaza Strip.
Gaza Soup Kitchen and Abe Adrami
Central to the narrative is the Gaza Soup Kitchen, a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating hunger in the region. Abe Adrami, a board member born and raised in Gaza and now residing in the U.S., plays a pivotal role in coordinating the organization's food aid efforts.
"We want to provide good, quality food, decent food with dignity. We cook for our neighbors or friends. We're not some third party coming into Gaza to provide food. We are it. We are the Gaza people." (00:08)
On-the-Ground Conditions
Abe Adrami poignantly conveys the desperation felt by Gazans:
"What I'm hearing is a call. You know, people are praying, God, let the judgment day start I mean, that's really a common prayer that people, let's just end this whole thing." (03:00)
He elaborates on the prevalent sentiment of hopelessness:
"Everything is a struggle. Staying alive is a struggle. Finding food is a struggle. Finding drinking water is a struggle. I mean, just every minute of it is a brutal experience." (04:26)
The protracted nature of the conflict has eroded any initial hopes for a swift resolution, with Abe highlighting the ineffectiveness of international legal frameworks in halting the ongoing crisis.
Genocide Claims
Abe categorizes the Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide, underscoring the intentionality behind the blockade and bombings:
"When you're talking about as of yesterday, 60,000 Palestinians got killed. Around 20,000 of them are kids, 70% are women and children. And there are thousands are still missing under the rubble." (05:58)
He challenges dissenting views by urging listeners to refer to the official definition of genocide, emphasizing both the actions and the clear intent behind them. International bodies like the United Nations and Amnesty International have echoed these sentiments, labeling the situation as genocide.
Man-Made Famine
Dispelling narratives that portray the famine in Gaza as a natural disaster, Abe asserts its artificiality:
"People aren't hungry. They are made hungry by the siege and the Israeli bombing and closing the Gaza." (08:27)
He highlights the cruel irony of abundant food across the Egyptian border juxtaposed with starvation within Gaza, pointing to the deliberate use of hunger as a weapon to subdue the population and force displacement.
Challenges Faced by Gaza Soup Kitchen
Operating 11 feeding centers, the Gaza Soup Kitchen faces myriad challenges:
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Logistics: With Gaza's financial system crippled, transferring funds for food aid relies on third parties like Egypt or Turkey. Abe explains the complexities of securing firewood and managing resources amid ongoing bombardments.
"Try to find fire logs is a challenge. So you try to scavenge a few logs here and there and wood, often from houses that were bombed, try to find that wood because there is no propane, there is no electricity, no gas." (11:08)
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Community Engagement: As a purely local organization, trust is paramount. The staff comprises community members who understand the cultural and social fabric of Gaza, ensuring that aid is delivered with dignity and respect.
"We're not some third party coming into Gaza to provide food. We Are it. We are the Gaza people." (10:03)
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Capacity: Each feeding center serves between 250 to 400 individuals daily, contingent on food prices and availability.
"On average, each feeding center feeds about between 250 to 400 people, depending on the prices." (14:26)
Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) Controversy
A significant portion of the episode critiques the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an Israeli and U.S.-backed organization intended to supplant UN food distribution efforts. Abe shares harrowing accounts of violence at GHF sites:
"Gaza Humanitarian foundation is as close to humanitarian as the devil is close to enter paradise. I mean, it's Gaza Humiliation foundation in reality." (16:42)
He recounts personal stories, including an incident where his nephew ventured to a GHF site for flour and never returned:
"My sister... said guess what? My son went walked several kilometers to the GHF site to get flour. And I said, why isn't that crazy? ... I'm still waiting. I'm hoping that he'll come back alive." (15:10)
These narratives highlight the perilous conditions under which Gazans seek essential supplies, often at the cost of their lives.
Efforts to Protect People
Contrasting GHF, the Gaza Soup Kitchen prioritizes the safety and dignity of those it serves:
"Everybody that works in Gaza is part of the community. So when my brother goes and works in a feeding center, he's feeding his neighbors, he's feeding his friends in the neighborhood." (18:37)
By maintaining local operations and fostering community trust, the organization ensures that aid reaches the needy without additional threats.
Political Developments: Recognition of Palestine
Recent international moves by France, the UK, and Canada to recognize Palestine as a state are dissected by Abe:
"It is way overdue... the two state solution based on the 1967 border is the way to go." (19:50)
However, he remains skeptical about the genuineness of this support:
- Proponents' View: Some see it as a long-awaited step towards justice.
- Critics' View: Others perceive it as political theater aimed at normalizing relations with Israel without addressing the underlying issues.
Abe emphasizes the necessity for political recognition to translate into tangible improvements on the ground, such as sanctions against occupying forces and genuine steps towards ending the blockade.
Closing Remarks and Call to Action
As the episode concludes, listeners are encouraged to support organizations like the Gaza Soup Kitchen and to stay informed through Reveal's reporting. Khalid Kadas from the Gaza Soup Kitchen delivers a heartfelt message reinforcing the organization's mission:
"The Gaza Souk Kitchen is a light that shines in the darkness. It cooks alive before food and serves dignity before meals." (24:47)
Reveal also directs audiences to related investigative pieces, including a video interview with retired U.S. Army officer Anthony Aguilar regarding the violence at GHF sites.
Conclusion
"Gazans Are Starving. It’s a Manmade Catastrophe." is a compelling exploration of the multifaceted humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Through firsthand accounts and incisive analysis, Reveal underscores the urgent need for effective humanitarian interventions and sustained political efforts to alleviate the suffering of Gazans. The episode not only highlights the dire conditions but also celebrates the resilience and unwavering spirit of those like Abe Adrami who strive to provide hope amidst despair.
Learn More:
- Visit gazasoupkitchen.com to support or learn more about the Gaza Soup Kitchen.
- Check out the linked Mother Jones and France 24 interview in the Reveal show notes.
- Subscribe to Reveal's free newsletter at revealnews.org/newsletter for the latest investigative stories.
Produced by Josh Sanburn and Cara McGurk Allison, edited by Bret Myers, with theme music and engineering by Fernando Arruda and Jim Briggs.