Conflict Between Israel and Palestine: Over a Hundred NGOs Warn of Imminent 'Mass Starvation' in Gaza
**Crisis in Gaza: Mass Starvation and Urgent Calls for Action**
Gaza is currently experiencing a critical food crisis, with over 2.1 million residents facing unprecedented levels of malnutrition and starvation. According to humanitarian organizations, the situation has reached "mass starvation" and "record rates of acute malnutrition" levels [1][2].
A third of the population have gone multiple days without food, and a quarter face famine-like conditions. One in five Palestinians in Gaza were already at risk of starvation earlier in the year, and almost 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe acute malnutrition, requiring urgent treatment [2].
Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women are disproportionately affected, with at least 66 children having died from malnutrition-related causes, not including those who succumbed to diseases worsened by malnutrition [4]. The crisis has led to dire circumstances for many, with reports of children telling their parents they wish to go to heaven because “at least heaven has food” [1].
Deadly violence around aid distribution centers is common, with the UN confirming that 875 Palestinians were killed while seeking food between July and mid-2025, either on aid routes or at distribution sites—an average of dozens per day [3]. Many more have been injured, and aid workers themselves are now joining food lines, risking their lives to feed their families [1][3].
The crisis is largely due to Israel's restrictions on humanitarian access, which more than 100 international aid groups, including Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children, and Oxfam, have accused of causing "chaos, starvation, and death" [1][3]. Amnesty International and others assert that Israel is using starvation as a method of warfare, which is a war crime under international law [3][4].
The World Food Programme (WFP) has enough supplies pre-positioned outside Gaza to feed the entire population for two months, but cannot deliver them without a ceasefire and unimpeded access [2]. In a rare joint statement, 109–115 NGOs have urged governments to open all land crossings, restore the flow of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel through a UN-led mechanism, end the siege, and agree to an immediate ceasefire [1][3].
The situation remains dire, with no significant relief in sight without a major shift in policy and international pressure. More than two dozen countries have called for an immediate end to the war, stating that suffering in Gaza has "reached new depths." The NGOs have also called for governments to demand that all bureaucratic and administrative restrictions be lifted, all land crossings be opened, access to everyone across Gaza be ensured, and for the rejection of military-controlled distribution and a restoration of a "principled, UN-led humanitarian response" [1]. The EU has warned Israel of potential action over the worsening starvation crisis in Gaza.
References: [1] Al Jazeera, (2025), "Gaza's hunger crisis: Key facts and figures", https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/10/21/gaza-hunger-crisis-key-facts-and-figures [2] The Guardian, (2025), "Gaza hunger crisis: 'I don't have food for my children', says mother", https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/21/gaza-hunger-crisis-i-dont-have-food-for-my-children-says-mother [3] Middle East Eye, (2025), "Gaza's hunger crisis: UN confirms 875 Palestinians killed seeking food", https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-hunger-crisis-un-confirms-875-palestinians-killed-seeking-food [4] Amnesty International, (2025), "Israel: Starvation as a method of warfare in Gaza", https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/10/israel-starvation-as-a-method-of-warfare-in-gaza/
- The escalating war in Gaza has resulted in a health crisis, with mass starvation and record levels of acute malnutrition among the human population.
- Political tension and restrictions on humanitarian access have caused chaos, starvation, and death, according to international aid groups, leading to dire consequences for the health-and-wellness, mental-health, and fitness-and-exercise of Gaza's residents.
- The crisis is further exacerbated by limited access to nutrition, resulting in malnutrition-related deaths among children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
- Breaking news reports detail the tragic plight of children who are going hungry, with some even expressing a wish to die due to lack of food.
- Amidst the general-news headlines of violence and death, science and health officials have urged political leaders to prioritize reestablishing the flow of food, water, medical supplies, and fuel to prevent further health deterioration.
- In the face of crime-and-justice allegations that Israel is using starvation as a method of warfare, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International are calling for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of a UN-led mechanism to address the crisis, ensuring the right to nutrition for all residents of Gaza.
