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Where can international cooperation in Gaza come in, Ms. Asseburg?

2023-11-02

The armed conflict between Israeli forces and the Hamas is escalating. What does this mean for Gaza, a region that was already heavily dependent on external aid? Questions for Dr. Muriel Asseburg, Senior Fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin.

By Jan Rübel

Jan Rübel is author at Zeitenspiegel Reportagen, a columnist at Yahoo and writes for national newspapers and magazines. He studied History and Middle Eastern Studies.

All contributions

By Dr. Muriel Asseburg

Dr. Muriel Asseburg is a Senior Fellow in the Africa and Middle East Research Group at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). From October 2006 to June 2012, she headed the research group "Middle East and Africa" at the SWP.

All contributions

What do you know about the humanitarian situation in Gaza?
Dr. Muriel Asseburg: The humanitarian situation in Gaza right now is catastrophic. There are several elements that come together. Firstly the bombings, in which a huge number of civilians, alongside Hamas fighters and leadership, are killed. As of last Wednesday, over 8300 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, almost 3500 of them children. The second element is the October 13 evacuation order, which has resulted in hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from the north trying to get to the south, some of whom are now living in tent cities, others who are living in completely overcrowded UNRWA facilities, and some who are living in the open, where they cannot find adequate shelter or adequate supplies. And the third element that makes the situation so precarious is the complete closure that Israel imposed on October 8. Since then, no food or medicine has come in across the Israeli border. Drinking water comes in very, very little quantities and only by the hour - and not to all parts of Gaza. Electricity is no longer being provided, and that has led to a complete breakdown in electricity supply, with disastrous consequences for the hospitals, for the drinking water supply, for the desalination plants, and for the sewage treatment plants, all of which are barely functioning or not functioning at all.

What could bring quick help?
There are now aid deliveries coming into Gaza through the Rafah crossing, following two intense weeks when nothing could be delivered at all. Since then, according to UNRWA, 143 trucks have come in. In reality, the UN says, it would take at least 100 trucks of aid every day to even begin covering the need on the ground. And, of course, it would need a reinstatement of drinking water supplies. In addition to fuel supplies, so that the generators of the hospitals, among others, can be operated again. What would be essential now are humanitarian ceasefires, so that the supplies would not only reach the south of the Gaza Strip, but also the north, where Palestinians are staying.

Do you understand the call for the evacuation of the northern Gaza Strip?
I can understand that. Of course, Israel has an interest in ensuring that the fight against Hamas and other militant groups does not produce the images that are now going around the world - of so many killed civilians. But the evacuation from the north cannot be implemented in this way. Because bedridden patients, old people, pregnant women, cannot go to the south at all. And there is no proper evacuation. That means people can't find proper shelter and they are not in a place where they are protected even in the south. That is very problematic. Another challenge is that Israel has not linked the evacuation order with a clear time limit and with a guarantee that the people will be able to return.

Do you see any possibilities for some kind of understanding between the Israeli government and Hamas?
At the moment, I don't see any possibility of a shared agreement for a ceasefire negotiation between the conflict parties. There has indeed been indirect agreements in the past. But that is not possible at the moment. The Israeli government's goal of dismantling Hamas structures and killing Hamas leaders and fighters is quite clear. There is no interest in reaching an understanding now - except with respect to freeing the hostages. Negotiations are actually taking place here, not directly between Israel and Hamas, but through third parties. And Israel does, of course, have a large interest in having the hostages freed.

But you don't see these hostage negotiations going beyond a certain scope.
No. On the part of Hamas, I think they are trying to link various issues here: hostage release in exchange for prisoners, cease-fire, humanitarian supplies. But I don't see Israel being willing to do that. And, Israel in particular is not ready for a broader cease-fire, but is now clearly pursuing the goal of the military destruction of Hamas and the restoration of its deterrence.

Where are the approaches to thinking ahead?

I see very great efforts in the international community to de-escalate. The shock of what happened on October 7 and the terrible pictures we are now seeing from the Gaza Strip make it clear to all concerned that there can be no going back to the status quo ante. The thought of continuing to manage or ignore the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian question in general - that it would actually no longer play a role for the region – is misguided.

And that's why I hope that the current diplomatic efforts will also provide an opportunity to start talking about sustainable arrangements for dealing with Gaza and the Palestinian issue in general.

And that there will be concerted action in this regard between the Americans, the important Arab states, and the Europeans.

What impact do you think the current conflict will have on the coming generations of children, i.e. the Palestinian children in Gaza, but also the Jewish children in Israel?
In both societies, the current happenings highlight once again the collective traumas that are so deeply inscribed in the population: the Shoah in Israeli society and the Nakba, that is, the flight and expulsion of 1948, in Palestinian society. As a result, societies cannot be empathetic with the other side. They are thrown back on the collective traumas and the helplessness associated with them. Ultimately, however, these can only be successfully dealt with if the conflict context does not continue to dominate everyday life. If there are perspectives that create security and economic and social development opportunities for both populations.

As far as economic development opportunities are concerned, conditions are increasingly unfavourable anyway. Periods of drought are driving the Middle East region into massive dependence on imports. What consequences does the conflict have for local food supplies and, above all, for food security?
The restrictions on local food production in Gaza are essentially political restrictions rather than those resulting from natural events and climate change. They are mainly due to the closure and establishment of a restricted zone along the border fence (inside the Gaza Strip) and with the restriction of the area in which Gaza's population is allowed to fish. It is to be expected that these exclusion zones will become much wider. At least that is how I understand the Israeli government's announcement that Gaza will be smaller after the war. And that is also how I interpret the bombardments, particularly in the north and east of the Gaza Strip: that the aim is to make these exclusion zones much larger. And that would then also significantly reduce the areas in the Gaza Strip that are predominantly used for agriculture today. It is also likely that the seaward closure will be tightened even further, so that fishing could be even more restricted.

Both of these occurrences would indeed be fatal for food production, and even more food would have to be imported into Gaza than has been the case so far.

And that would basically take away from what would actually be important: which is sustainability.

Yes, absolutely. But we have already had no conditions for sustainable development since the beginning of the closure in 2006, the tightening in 2007, and also under the so-called Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism of 2014. Rather, the economy in Gaza has completely collapsed and the population has become increasingly dependent on international support. Before the outbreak of this war, 80 percent of the population in Gaza was dependent on international support. Another contributing factor, in addition to the closure and the recurring armed conflicts, has been the prioritization of the Hamas-led government in the Gaza Strip, which has prioritized the continuation of the armed struggle. We are now seeing how much Hamas has invested in preparing for the war.

Where can international development policy start, beyond humanitarian aid, when on the one hand the need to promote development is so great, but on the other hand we are dealing with rulers like Hamas in Gaza, which has other priorities than development and sustainability?

We don't have to think now about how development cooperation could have been organized with an area like it was before October 7.

The issue now is to create a political framework after the war in which sustainable development is actually possible.

And that would mean largely free movement of people and goods for Gaza. I can only envision this as part of a negotiated arrangement - an arrangement that is negotiated and secured regionally and internationally. In fact, many plans have been put forward in the past as to what measures can be taken to make such an opening safe. And there are many elements that different countries and organizations can contribute. But only if there is such a political framework, reconstruction and economic recovery can work and also produce sustainable effects. Otherwise, we are talking about humanitarian aid, which ultimately can only mitigate the situation until the next armed conflict.

You said that in the Gaza Strip, climate change now plays a smaller role because there are bigger problems. But it remains a challenge. Would there perhaps also be opportunities to look for an approach here, in which Palestinian agriculture and Israeli agriculture work together on solutions to adapt to this change?
Theoretically, yes, and that would make a lot of sense in this small country. Practically, I don't see any basis for it at all at the moment, because there are no corresponding political contacts between the government in Israel and the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Nor can I imagine them in a situation in which the Israeli government insists that there is an exclusive claim by Jews to the entire territory, in which it is systematically weakening the Palestinian Authority, and in which the West Bank is also in a phase of escalation. It would be important to first prevent the West Bank from also experiencing a major armed escalation.

Let's assume that these political regulations are found. What role would the agricultural and food systems and their transformation then play?
I have to tell you in all honesty that it's hard for me to imagine right now. To me, what happened on October 7 puts all the arrangements that have to do with cooperation, that have to do with living together in Israel and the Palestinian territories and working together on problems, even further away than before. Right now, the odds are against cooperation, but towards separation, probably with much greater isolation for a relatively long time. How the present situation of existential conflict can give rise to close cooperation, which would be necessary in order to tackle the major ecological issues together, is something for which I have no imagination at the moment.

Where then can international cooperation begin to contribute to overall security in the Middle East?
What is needed is an internationally prepared arrangement that gradually leads to a settlement of the conflict in which both sides, both the Jewish-Israeli population and the Palestinian population, can realize their right to self-determination and in which a settlement is also found for dealing with the refugees.

What future do you see for Gaza?
There are basically five scenarios for Gaza's medium-term future. The first is a reoccupation and perhaps even repopulation of the Gaza Strip by Israel. The second would be an intensified closure, that is, the establishment of wide buffer zones and a closed border with Israel. The third would be the expulsion of a large part of Gaza's population; what the Palestinians see as a new Nakba. These three scenarios all fail to bring lasting stability and set in motion sustainable development. And there would be two other scenarios: One would be a robust UN peacekeeping mission and an international administration. And the last scenario would be that of a negotiated opening of Gaza in which the Americans, Arab states, and the Europeans take responsibility to shape a transition that takes into account the security needs of both populations as well as focusing on the Palestinian right to development. In my view, these latter two scenarios are the only ones that actually promise lasting security. However, I think the idea of a UN force and a UN transitional administration is very unrealistic because the Security Council is deadlocked on this issue. Between the U.S. on the one hand and Russia and China on the other, it's hard to imagine that anyone could agree on a model.

Back to overview

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Karel Prinsloo/Arete/Rockefeller Foundation/AGRA

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A contribution by Michael Brüntrup (DIE) und Daniel Tsegai (UNCCD)

Droughts are the natural disasters with far-reaching negative consequences. While rich countries are still vulnerable to drought, famines are no longer found.

(c) Christof Krackhardt/Brot für die Welt

Together and resourceful against worldwide hunger

A contribution by Brot für die Welt

Climate change disturbs the climate in Ethiopia. The answer from small farmers in the northern region is convincing: diversify!

Microinsurance against climate change

A contribution by Claudia Voß

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Hunger is caused by people, not the climate

Interview with Jacob Schewe (PIK)

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What do you expect from this Pre Summit, Mr. Haddad?

Interview with Lawrence Haddad (GAIN)

Nutrition experts from all over the world are coming together in Rome. They are not only distilling 2000 ideas to improve food systems - they are also preparing for the big UN summit in New York in September. An interview.

Mr. Campari, how do we create sustainable food systems?

Interview with Joao Campari (WWF)

Journalist Jan Rübel spoke with Joao Campari ahead of the UNFSS Pre-Summit. The Chair of Action Track 3 highlights key challenges in transforming existing food systems towards sustainable production and shares his expectations for the Summit.

Land Rights, Gender and Soil Fertility in Benin

A contribution by Dr. Karin Gaesing and Prof. Dr. Frank Bliss (INEF)

Especially in densely populated areas, land pressure leads to overexploitation of available land and a lack of conservation measures. The West African country of Benin, with heavily depleted soils in many places, is no exception.

How do you campaign “Food Systems”?

Interview with Paul Newnham, Director of the SDG 2 Advocacy Hub.

The UN Food Systems pre-Summit in Rome dealt with transforming the ways of our nutrition. How do you bring that to a broad public? Questions to Paul Newnham, the Director of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 Advocacy Hub.

Mr. Marí, what happened at the alternative summit?

An Interview with Francisco Marí (Brot für die Welt)

Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) did not attend the UNFSS pre-summit. Instead, the organisation took part in a counter-summit that took place at the same time. A conversation with Francisco Marí about the reasons, the process - and an outlook for the future

UNFSS Pre-Summit: What did it achieve?

Interview with Martina Fleckenstein (WWF), Michael Kühn (WHH) and Christel Weller-Molongua (GIZ)

After the summit means pre-summit: It was the first time that the United Nations held a summit on food systems. Martina Fleckenstein, Michael Kühn and Christel Weller-Molongua reviewed the situation in this joint interview.

What is wrong with our nutrition in Germany, Mr. Plagge ?

An interview with Jan Plagge (Bioland)

Vitamin-poor nutrition must become more expensive, in-vitro meat is not a panacea, and agricultural systems should be more decentralised. Bioland President Jan Plagge in an interview about the challenge of (future) world nutrition.

How Can We Feed The World in Times of Climate Change?

A Contribution by Jan Grossarth

Genetically modified bacteria become edible proteins, cows graze on pasture, and no waste is produced in an industrial circular economy. Journalist Jan Grossarth sees a silver lining for the future of world nutrition

Food System Transformation Starts and Ends with Diversity

A Contribution by Emile Frison and Nick Jacobs (IPES-Food)

While having failed to solve the hunger problem, industrial agriculture appears to be causing additional ones both in environmental and health terms. Emile Frison and Nick Jacobs call for a transformation.

Sustainable Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture in Rural Areas

Fish is important for combating malnutrition and undernourishment. But it is not only notable for its nutritional value, but also secures the livelihoods and employment for 600 million people worldwide.

A Project of GIZ

Land Rights for Secure Livelihoods: My Land is My Life

Three quarters of the world's population do not have secure land rights, which hinders investment and innovation. The project "Improvement of Livelihood and Food Security" supports smallholder farmers in acquiring land.

A project of GIZ

City, Country, Sea: 6 Innovations in the Fight Against Climate Change

A listicle for climate-neutral agriculture

Vertically growing plants, magnetic cotton. Hairy leftovers fertilizing fields, tractors running on algae? These six innovations could lead agriculture’s next Green Revolution!

No Food Security Without Climate Protection

A Contribution by Michael Kühn (WHH)

Climate change already affects the daily lives of people in the Global South. What are the challenges they face and what do these imply for negotiations at the climate conference in Glasgow?

GFFA for New Perspectives on the Planet’s Soils

A Contribution by Journalist Jan Ruebel

For five days, the 2022 Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) in Berlin is all about strategies for a more sustainable land use.

Engaging the Community to Solve the Bushmeat Crisis

A Contribution by the Forestry Research Institute Nigeria

The 'Domestication of Small Monogastric and Ruminant Animals' (DSMR) project led by a Nigerian research institute works with local communities to solve the bushmeat crisis.

German G7 Presidency – fighting hunger with all our might

A Contribution by Welthungerhilfe

In the run-up to the G7 summit, experts from politics and civil society discussed sustainable and more effective options for action by the G7 states to combat hunger.

‘Invite yourself’ – Farmers organisations as key stakeholders of food systems

A Contribution by Andreas-Hermes-Akademie

The Andreas Hermes Academy (AHA) discusses the transformation of food systems with 30 representatives of farmers organisations.

The lessons learned from the last food crisis - A solution?

A Contribution by Agnes Kalibata

Inadequacy and fragility of food systems becomes more apparent with every food crisis. The question we must answer is “Where do we go from here?”

From shared conviction to global response

A Contribution by Jan Rübel

The G7 is responding to the worsening global hunger crisis by mobilizing an additional $4.5 billion for this year alone. A key milestone for this in the run-up was the international conference on global food security "Uniting for Global Food Security".

‘Preserving and restoring fertile soils is a global responsibility.’

An Interview with Jochen Flasbarth (BMZ)

Healthy, productive soils are a prerequisite for global food security – one of the priorities of German development cooperation. State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth on Germany’s efforts to support sustainable land management and why the VGGT are more important than ever today.

Scaling up Food Security

An Artikel by Jan Rübel

How can we reach more people with successful approaches to food security? In Berlin, an international conference organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationaler Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) addressed this issue.

Five tips to reduce food waste

A listicle against food waste

Whether it's banana bread made from brown bananas, conscious shopping plans or foodsharing, we give you five tips on how to reduce your everyday food waste.

What does it take to truly shift the paradigm on food systems?

An Interview by GDPRD

Why are short- and long-term responses important to address current and future global crises? Sebastian Lesch, Head of the Agriculture Division at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), provides answers to these and other questions in an interview with the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development (GDPRD) and explains how much Germany welcomes all donors pulling together and acting in concert.

Strengthening food markets across the rural-urban continuum

A Contribution by Thomas Forster

How to maintain functioning food markets in global food supply chains in the face of vulnerability and disruption? Markets that support local and territorial food systems are part of the solution. Thomas Forster presents proposals for these markets to cope with future shocks.

A dashboard as a key tool for global food security

A Contribution by BMZ

The Global Alliance for Food Security (GAFS), jointly launched by the German G7 Presidency and the World Bank, released the Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard during COP27: A Rapid Response Tool for Coordinating Global Action for Food Security.

The importance of water for sustainable rural development

A contribtion by WE4F

How can the challenges related to water, rural development and climate resilient agriculture be addressed? What innovations need to be promoted? The Water and Energy for Food (WE4F) initiative presents strategies and innovations for sustainable, integrated water management in German and international cooperation.

Five Questions for Dirk Meyer

An Interview with Dirk Meyer (BMZ)

Development cooperation needs to place good governance and a sustainable agri-food systems transformation at its center: After the first 100 days in office have passed, Dirk Meyer from the German Development Ministry (BMZ) spells out the goals, guidelines and priorities of the Ministry’s new lead.

Fair Trade and Climate Justice: Everything is Conntected

A Contribution of the 'Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains' (INA)

Fair Trade organisations and the Initiative for Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chains (INA) have launched the #ichwillfair campaign during COP26 to highlight the link between global supply chains and climate change.

The Rice Sector in West Africa: A Political Challenge

New insights on trade and value addition in the rice sector in West Africa

Low import tariffs, smuggling activities, unpredictable tax exemptions and weak enforcement of food safety standards: The potential of local rice value chains is undermined in West African countries.

5 Questions for Jann Lay: What is Corona doing to the economy?

Interview with Jann Lay (GIGA)

The Corona pandemic is hitting economies around the world very hard - but developments in African countries are quite diverse. There are different speeds, resiliences and vulnerabilities. What are the reasons for this? Apl. Prof. Jann Lay of the GIGA Institute provides answers.

Sustainable, feminist and socially just: The new Africa strategy of the BMZ

A contribution by Prof. Dr. Anna-Katharina Hornidge

In the video format "#99SecondsWith" of the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS), Prof. Dr Anna - Katharina Hornidge talks about the new Africa-Strategy of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The goals of transformation should leave no one behind

An Interview with Mareike Haase and Stig Tanzmann

Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Mareike Haase and Stig Tanzmann from Brot für die Welt explain why the right to food, inclusivity, agroecology and food sovereignty are the central levers for a successful transformation.

Agricultural policy belongs in prime time

An interview with Dr. Julia Köhn

Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Dr Julia Köhn, Chair of the German AgriFood Society, points out in the interview: Only if innovation and transformation are profitable in the medium term can they close the food gap in the long term.

BMZ releases video on the transformation of agricultural and food systems

A contribution by GIZ

The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has released a video on the transformation of agricultural and food systems. In the video, Federal Minister Svenja Schulze also speaks about the urgent need to combat global hunger and contribute to resilient agricultural and food systems.

“More of the same is not enough - we need to rethink”

An interview with Dirk Meyer

Four interviews kick off the relaunch under the new name „Food4Transformation“, asking the same questions from different perspectives. Dirk Meyer, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, thinks: less individual solutions are needed, but more systemic approaches. Because in addition to the goals for food security, the issues of climate and biodiversity must also be taken into account.

Agricultural prices and food security – a complex relationship

A Contribution by Dr. Fatima Olanike Kareem and Dr. Olayinka Idowu Kareem

High agricultural prices affect developed and developing countries alike, but the problem is aggravated for the latter through the lack of or inadequate resilience measures. Dr. Fatima Olanike Kareem, AKADEMIYA2063, and Dr. Olayinka Idowu Kareem, University of Hohenheim, explain what can be done to mitigate the negative effects on food security.

Strengthening the market linkages of smallholders in the face of global supply shocks

A Contribution by Niladri Sekhar Bagchi

The consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine have enabled many countries to open up new export markets for their agricultural goods. However, smallholder farms have been largely left out. Drawing on his experience in India, our author gives a brief overview of how this can be changed.

Innovative donor approaches and sustainable finance – A Review of UNFSS+2

A contribution by the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development

Two years following the UN Food Systems Summit, the Global Donor Platform for Rural Development and the Shamba Centre for Food & Climate hosted an official side event at the UNFSS+2. The event explored how public donors can increase the impact of their investments.

“It created hope. It created a life”

An interview with Ally-Raza Qureshi, WFP

Iraq suffered many years of war, sanctions and economic crises. However, Ally-Raza Qureshi from the World Food Programme in Iraq sees progress. But now the effects of climate change are becoming apparent in the country. What is to be done?

What is needed for a long-term fertiliser strategy?

A contribution by Michael Brüntrup

The world is currently experiencing a historic food crisis. High fertiliser prices are part of the problem. In addition to the necessary short-term aid measures, the crisis ought to be made use of to develop and implement longer-term fertiliser strategies for sustainable, in particular smallholder increases in production in the Global South.

New Podcast – Out now!

A Podcast by Food4Transformation

In a world facing crises – from pandemics, armed conflicts, and climate change – how do we ensure everyone has enough food within planetary boundaries? A new podcast by Food4Transformation discover solutions talking to government officials, scientists, NGOs and farmers around the world.

Agricultural Financing – from a broader Perspective

A Contribution by GIZ

In Sub-Saharan Africa, not all financial institutions (FIs) have access to knowledge about how to implement processes to enhance rural financial inclusion. The pan-African Community of Practice (CoP) plays a pivotal role in supporting these institutions along this transformative journey.

Agriculture is more than Culture or Tradition

A Contribution by Simeon Kambalame

How can agriculture engage more young people in rural areas? Advocacy and education campaigns can play an important role here. Simeon Kambalame, Timveni Child and Youth Media Organisation, has launched such a campaign in Malawi.

Gender Justice – a Precondition for Resilience

A contribution by IFPRI

Women and girls in poorer countries are affected in particular ways by the multiple crises the world is currently facing. Uncovering the linkages between gender, resilience and food security, experts from International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) look at ways to support women and girls’ capacity to respond to crises.

Podcast: Fighting world hunger together

Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Podcast of the Federal Government

At the start of World Food Week around World Food Day on 16 October, Chancellor Angela Merkel stressed that the fight against global hunger will only be successful with international responsibility and solidarity (german only).

Nature conservation around the world

A Contribution by WWF

From measures to promote biodiversity in Germany to more sustainable cocoa cultivation methods in Ecuador: WWF works at many different levels. At the Green Week, it will be demonstrated just how multifaceted nature conservation work is and what role each individual's decision plays.

Together for food security in Zambia

A Contribution by Claudia Jordan (GIZ)

The Agriculture and Food Security Cluster of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in Zambia shows how synergies among different projects and partner organisations can help people to eat healthier, diversified food. A delegation of the Bonn based Division of Agriculture and Rural Development learned this in a field visit in the Eastern Province of the Southern African country.

Felix Phiri and two decades of Agriculture

A Conversation with Felix Phiri

Felix Phiri has been Head of the Department of Nutrition, HIV and AIDS at the Ministry of Health in Malawi for almost 20 years. A conversation about constants and change.

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Where can international cooperation in Gaza come in, Ms. Asseburg?

By Jan Rübel

By Dr. Muriel Asseburg

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