Those in Gaza who can get to food, are existing on only 67% of the calories a human needs to survive.

The latest data from the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation extrapolates the information it has to forecast what is happening. It stated:

As of May 2025, the average caloric intake has dropped to 1 400 kcal per person per day, just 67 percent of the minimum required 2 100 kcal, indicating a severe and growing food gap.  Food Pipeline Disruption and declining food availability in the Gaza Strip.

People are being shot down, murdered by Israeli soldiers, whilst they make their way to aid stations to try and get food. It’s a level of inhumanity playing out across social media in real time that belongs in Nazi run Germany. Yesterday was the 81st anniversary of D Day when we remember the sacrifice made by that extraordinary generation that fought fascism. And yet today, whilst we commemorate their memories we are allowing the state of Israel to commit numerous war crimes, including the genocide of the people of Gaza.

The USA cast its veto on a Peace Plan this week which blocked a resolution supported by all ten elected members of the UN’s Security Council. Had it been adopted, it would have demanded “an immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” to be respected by all parties. The voting was 14 in favour of the Peace Plan and 1 against – the USA.

The USA is by far the largest supplier of armaments to Israel and President Trump has made it known that he wants the people of Gaza cleared off their land. That would be over 2 million people forcibly removed.

UN relief chief Tom Fletcher commented:

“The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat.”

Last week a group of UK Labour MPs went on a visit to Israel in support of the Apartheid State. The UK continues to sell military equipment to Israel and to provide information from its spy planes.

Gaza’s population today is approximately 2.1 million, down from the 2.23 million it was before 7 October 2023. The number killed in the genocide being committed by Israel may never be known as so many bodies now lie decomposing under the rubble of their once vibrant communities.

 Palestinian authorities estimate that  52,400 Palestinians had been reported killed, while another 11,000 were feared missing, presumably under the rubble.

There are an untold number who have died because they have been unable to receive adequate medical treatment, or succumbed to disease and starvation. The number of child amputees is the highest in the world.

In June 2024 an article in The Lancet suggested that up to 186,000 people would likely die from indirect causes because of the conflict, at a “conservative” rate of four indirect deaths for every direct death. That was a year ago before Israel stopped the aid from getting in.

The Freedom Convoy which is trying to break the blockade is on its way in a symbolic gesture of solidarity with the people of Gaza. The international group of 12 peace activists on board a little boat, the Madleen, includes Greta Thunberg. On Thursday Zaher Birawi, head of the International Committee to Break the Siege on Gaza and founding member of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, stated that the ship Madleen, which departed from the port of Catania in Sicily, Italy, on June 2, is now nearing the coast of Cyprus and is approximately four days away from Palestinian territorial waters.

Today, Saturday 7 June, peace campaigners in Orkney again ask anyone who wishes to see an immediate ceasefire to join with them in vigil on the Kirk Green, Broad Street, Kirkwall, from 1 to 2pm.

In the island of Sanday on June 29, there will be an Open Garden and Studio at Kirkhall from 11 am to 3pm to raise funds for children’s charities in Gaza and Palestine.

Fiona Grahame