The Gaza Strip is on the brink of famine, with one in five residents facing starvation, according to a United Nations-backed report. The situation has worsened following Israel’s blockade of essential humanitarian aid for nearly three months.
The ongoing blockade, imposed on March 2, has halted the delivery of food, medical supplies, and other critical resources, severely affecting the 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza. The United Nations and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have warned that the humanitarian crisis is escalating, with food, water, and medicine in short supply.
Since Israel resumed its military assault on Gaza in March, conditions have rapidly deteriorated. Civilians struggle to access basic necessities, including food, clean water, and medical care. The blockade, along with Israel’s bombardment campaign, has crippled essential services and disrupted the distribution of vital supplies.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report highlights that Gaza’s entire population is experiencing extreme food insecurity, and the region is at high risk of a full-blown famine if the situation is not addressed.
Gaza Faces Widespread Starvation as Food Shortages and Prices Escalate Amid Blockade
The IPC report stresses that goods crucial for survival, such as food and medical supplies, are either depleted or expected to run out soon. Prices have soared, with flour prices increasing by 3,000% since February. What little food remains in Gaza is unaffordable for most residents.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has had to shut down its bakeries, and many hot meal kitchens are running out of resources. The reduction in aid and the severe shortage of food are pushing the population to the brink, with starvation threatening to become widespread.
Blockade Halts Aid Deliveries as Gaza’s Food Supply Collapses and Starvation IntensifiesAccording to the IPC, Gaza faces a high risk of famine between now and the end of September. The IPC defines famine as a situation where more than 20% of households experience extreme food shortages, and 30% or more of children suffer from acute malnutrition. The report has already indicated that nearly 22% of Gaza’s population will experience catastrophic food insecurity from May through September. To avert famine, the IPC calls for an immediate halt to hostilities and a resumption of humanitarian aid to the region.
Children and Pregnant Women Face Severe Malnutrition Amid Gaza’s Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the effects of the ongoing crisis. The IPC estimates that nearly 71,000 children under five will suffer from acute malnutrition between April 2025 and March 2026. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are also at risk, with nearly 17,000 requiring treatment for malnutrition.
The dire conditions have led many families to resort to extreme measures, including scavenging for food or consuming unsafe water. Many mothers are unable to breastfeed their children due to malnutrition, and some, like Imran Rajab, are forced to bake bread from discarded flour, even though it leads to vomiting and illness.
While aid organizations like the WFP and UNRWA have large stocks of aid waiting at the border, Israel’s blockade has prevented them from entering Gaza. The WFP has been unable to deliver any new aid since March 2, and current food distributions in Gaza have drastically decreased.
UN officials have expressed urgent concern, warning that if immediate action is not taken, the situation will worsen. Despite some international acknowledgment of the crisis, such as US officials admitting the severity of the situation, Israel has largely blamed Hamas for the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, further complicating efforts to resolve the crisis.