In a joint statement, more than 100 humanitarian organizations have raised the alarm over what they describe as a “mass starvation” crisis unfolding in Gaza. Among the signatories are prominent groups such as Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières. They are calling for immediate international intervention as thousands of Palestinians face the devastating effects of food scarcity in the war-torn region.
The agencies accuse Israel of enforcing a “siege” on Gaza, preventing the delivery and distribution of vital food supplies. Despite claims by the Israeli government that aid is being stored within Gaza, the humanitarian groups assert that they are being “blocked” from distributing the necessary supplies. According to their statement, “tons” of food aid remain inaccessible, either stuck in warehouses or blocked from crossing into the hands of those in desperate need.
The situation has become increasingly dire, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that 33 people—12 of them children—have died from malnutrition in just 48 hours. This brings the total number of malnutrition-related deaths to over 100, including at least 80 children. In total, the health ministry has confirmed that at least 59,029 people have died since October 7, 2023, when Israel launched a military campaign in response to a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel.
Israel, which controls all border crossings in Gaza, has defended its actions, claiming that 950 trucks worth of aid are currently waiting in Gaza for international organizations to pick up and distribute. “This is after Israel facilitated the aid entry into Gaza,” stated Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson Nadav Shoshani. However, aid organizations have disputed this claim, pointing to significant challenges in accessing aid due to Israeli restrictions. According to the organizations, the aid distribution system, managed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), is ineffective in ensuring timely and equitable access to the aid.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in, confirming that malnutrition is on the rise. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, a WHO official for the West Bank and Gaza, revealed that nearly 30,000 children in Gaza are currently malnourished. “We saw a child in a malnutrition ward who appeared to be two years old, but in reality, was five,” Dr. Peeperkorn shared, highlighting the severe impact of food shortages on young children.
The aid agencies are urging for an immediate ceasefire, the opening of crossings, and a comprehensive UN-led mechanism to ensure that food and medical supplies reach those in need. They emphasize the necessity of expanding aid distributions, which currently average just 28 trucks per day, far below the estimated 600 trucks needed to meet Gaza’s needs.
With conditions worsening daily, these groups are also warning that “our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away,” a stark reflection of the humanitarian crisis that continues to intensify as Israel’s military operations persist.
Israel’s military body, responsible for coordinating aid deliveries, maintains that it is acting in line with international law, ensuring aid does not reach Hamas. However, the situation on the ground in Gaza suggests that this system is not enough to stem the escalating malnutrition crisis.
As this urgent humanitarian situation unfolds, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the challenges of aid distribution and the wider impact of the ongoing conflict on Gaza’s civilian population.
