"Mass Starvation Looms in Gaza: No Food for Sale"
In the troubled region of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions has unfolded. As of late July 2025, famine conditions have been officially confirmed, marking a catastrophic level of food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and rising mortality, particularly among children under five[1][2].
The main causes of this dire situation are Israel’s restrictions on aid and blockade, the escalation of conflict, and mass displacement of people. These factors have combined to limit humanitarian access, disrupt food production, destroy infrastructure, and collapse essential services[1][2][4].
Israel’s restrictions on aid and blockade have severely limited humanitarian access and the flow of food and essential goods into Gaza. This has prevented sufficient food supplies from reaching the population on land routes, with only limited and symbolic relief efforts such as airdrops or brief humanitarian pauses[1][2][4].
The escalation of conflict since October 2023 has destroyed infrastructure and neighborhoods, disrupting local food production, markets, and essential services, including healthcare[3]. Mass displacement of people and the collapse of essential services have further exacerbated food insecurity and malnutrition risks[2].
Current data highlights the gravity of the situation. Over 500,000 people in Gaza are enduring famine-like conditions, at risk of death from starvation[3]. More than 320,000 children under five face acute malnutrition, with thousands suffering from the most severe and life-threatening form[3].
The Israeli offensive has destroyed much of Gaza’s economy, driving an impoverished population into near complete dependency on aid. Cash machines and banks have been closed, with money changers selling tattered Israeli shekels at commissions of up to 45%. One in three Gazans goes multiple days without eating, according to the World Food Programme[5].
Local health officials are reporting dozens of deaths from starvation and malnutrition in Gaza. Mustafa, a Gazan resident, has lost nearly half his weight, now totaling 40 kilos. He has been searching for food in the ruins of Gaza City every day this week, only finding nothing for four days and paying almost $100 for a kilo of lentils on the fifth day[6].
The shortages have become so intense that children are constantly asking about food. Asmaa Tafesh, a UN employee, now loses so much to commissions that she must sell jewellery to survive[7]. The descent into hunger for Mustafa and many others began slowly, then suddenly became unavoidable.
Humanitarian response agencies like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) continue to deliver food aid to millions. However, they emphasize that only full, sustained, and safe humanitarian access on a large scale via land routes can prevent further catastrophic loss of life[1][3].
In summary, the famine in Gaza is the result of a combination of prolonged conflict, infrastructure destruction, and stringent restrictions on aid and goods entry, which together have caused a collapse in food security and nutrition status to crisis levels[1][2][3][4]. Urgent and expanded humanitarian access remains critical to averting further deaths and long-term damage.
References:
[1] Al Jazeera. (2025). Famine in Gaza: A crisis of Israel's making. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/23/famine-in-gaza-a-crisis-of-israels-making
[2] Middle East Eye. (2025). Gaza on the brink of famine as Israeli blockade worsens food crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-on-the-brink-of-famine-as-israeli-blockade-worsens-food-crisis
[3] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Israel/Gaza: Famine in Gaza: A Crisis of Israel's Making. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/7/23/israelgaza-famine-crisis-israels-making
[4] OCHA. (2025). Gaza: Humanitarian Crisis Deepens. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-crisis-deepens
[5] World Food Programme. (2025). Gaza Crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.wfp.org/emergencies/gaza-crisis
[6] Reuters. (2025). Famine in Gaza: A Gazan's struggle to find food. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-gaza-famine-idUSKBN25O14M
[7] The Guardian. (2025). Gaza's hunger crisis: 'I have to sell my jewellery to eat'. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/gazas-hunger-crisis-i-have-to-sell-my-jewellery-to-eat
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, stretched beyond measure, has led to official confirmation of famine conditions as of late July 2025.
- The severe restrictions on aid and blockade imposed by Israel have significantly limited the flow of food and essential goods into Gaza.
- The escalation of conflict since October 2023 has not only destroyed infrastructure and neighborhoods but also disrupted food production, markets, and essential services, including healthcare.
- Over 500,000 people in Gaza are enduring conditions similar to famine, putting them at risk of death from starvation, according to recent data.
- More than 320,000 children under five in Gaza face acute malnutrition, with many suffering from the most severe and life-threatening forms.
- The collapse of Gaza's economy, a result of the Israeli offensive, has driven the impoverished population into almost complete dependency on aid.
