Gaza is witnessing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, with new reports indicating that one in five children in the region is now malnourished. This alarming statistic comes from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (Unrwa), whose Commissioner-General, Philippe Lazzarini, described the situation as dire. He quoted a colleague stating, "People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses."
A coalition of over 100 international aid and human rights organizations echoes this sentiment, alerting governments to the looming threat of mass starvation in the territory. The Israeli government maintains there is no siege in place, attributing the malnutrition crisis to Hamas, while the UN warns of minimal humanitarian supplies entering Gaza. Lazzarini emphasized that the levels of aid have dwindled to merely "a trickle," and the hunger crisis is at an all-time high.
Tragic reports have emerged indicating that "more than 100 people, the majority of whom are children, have reportedly died of hunger," according to Lazzarini. “Most children our teams are seeing are emaciated, weak, and at high risk of dying without urgent treatment," he stated, urging Israel to permit unrestricted humanitarian access to Gaza to alleviate the situation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also weighed in, with its director, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, deeming the dire situation "mass starvation" and attributing it to human actions.
Local communities bear witness to the severe impacts of this crisis. Hanaa Almadhoun, a mother of three, described the desperate state of local markets, stating, "If they do exist [food items], then they come at exorbitant prices that no ordinary person can afford." Many have resorted to selling personal belongings just to secure basic necessities like flour, while children are seen foraging through garbage in search of food remnants.
Amidst these dire conditions, Israeli President Isaac Herzog asserted during a visit to troops that humanitarian aid is being provided in accordance with international law. Yet, aid workers continue to highlight the challenges faced daily by the residents. Tahani Shehada, an aid worker, revealed the extent of the struggle: "Even simple things like cooking and taking a shower have become luxuries," she lamented.
Israel's restrictions on aid deliveries since early March have worsened shortages of food, fuel, and medicine, even as some aid channels have since partially reopened. Reports indicate that more than 1,000 Palestinians have died in attempts to secure food aid, a grim statistic underscored by the UN's findings.
Personal accounts paint an urgent picture of life in Gaza. Najah, a 19-year-old widow, described her fear of attempting to retrieve food supplies, stating, "I hope they bring us something to eat and drink. We die of hunger." Similarly, Abu Alaa, a market seller, echoed desperation, stating, "We are not alive. We are dead. We are pleading with the whole world to intervene and save us."
As the population continues to face an escalating humanitarian catastrophe, Gazans like Walaa Fathi, who is expecting her third child, remain hopeful yet fearful. She shared, "I hope that my baby stays in my womb and I don't have to give birth in these difficult circumstances." The multiple voices from this region reflect an urgent need for global intervention and support to address the escalating crisis.
