Hunger claims another life in Gazan infant as malnutrition escalates in the region
In the besieged Palestinian enclave of Gaza, a catastrophic hunger crisis is unfolding, with aid organizations issuing dire warnings of mass starvation spreading across the region. The current crisis, exacerbated by the total blockade imposed by Israel from March to May 2025, has resulted in people collapsing in the streets and a surge in malnutrition-related deaths.
On Wednesday, the Palestinian Health Ministry reported a tragic statistic: in a 24-hour period, four children and 11 people (total of 15) died from severe malnutrition. The preceding day, the ministry issued a warning about mass starvation, a grim prediction that now seems alarmingly close to reality.
One of the most heart-wrenching casualties of this crisis is Youssef al-Safadi, a 6-week-old baby who died on a cold metal table at Gaza City's Al Shifa hospital due to malnutrition. His family could not provide him with milk, formula, supplements, or vitamins, a stark reminder of the severe food shortages plaguing the region.
The crisis has also taken a toll on aid workers, with many experiencing a lack of adequate food. Despite the active presence of the United Nations' humanitarian agency in Gaza, the situation remains dire.
The root causes of this crisis are complex. The blockade by Israeli forces, ongoing hostilities, military operations restricting movement, and destruction of infrastructure have combined to systematically starve and isolate Gaza's population. This has been described by some observers as deliberate starvation used as a weapon of war, contributing to what may constitute a humanitarian or even genocidal crisis.
The ongoing conflict and constrained humanitarian relief have further exacerbated the situation. Critical humanitarian lifelines are collapsing, with only very limited food trickling in. Civilians risk their lives trying to access food under fire, including near UN supply deliveries, where despite assurances no troops would fire, civilians are shot.
The situation is particularly dire for children. Hospitalizations of malnourished children have soared, with nearly 15% of children screened in some hospitals showing severe or moderate malnutrition as of mid-2025. The health sector, overwhelmed by conflict injuries, struggles to treat malnutrition cases, and many children cannot even reach hospitals due to displacement orders and ongoing military operations.
According to the October 2024 FAO/WFP “Hunger Hotspots” report, 91% of Gaza’s population faces crisis or worse levels of food insecurity, making it one of the gravest global hunger emergencies. The integrated IPC classification also highlights this dire state.
As the crisis deepens, the international community must act urgently to alleviate the suffering in Gaza. The lives of countless innocent people hang in the balance.
[1] Amnesty International. (2025). Gaza: A man-made disaster. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/06/gaza-a-man-made-disaster/
[2] Human Rights Watch. (2025). Israel/Gaza: Lift the Blockade Now. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/06/23/israelgaza-lift-blockade-now
[3] United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. (2025). Gaza Humanitarian Situation Report No. 1. [online] Available at: https://www.ochaopt.org/content/gaza-humanitarian-situation-report-no-1-2025
- The Gaza crisis, a humanitarian emergency, has led to a surge in malnutrition-related deaths, including the tragedy of a 6-week-old baby, Youssef al-Safadi, who died due to severe malnutrition.
- The Palestinian Health Ministry reported a significant increase in malnutrition cases, with four children and 11 adults dying from severe malnutrition in a 24-hour period.
- The international community is urged to act urgently to alleviate the suffering in Gaza, as the ongoing conflict and constrained humanitarian relief have led to critical food shortages and malnutrition among children, making up nearly 15% of those screened in hospitals.
- The complexity of the crisis in Gaza is rooted in the blockade by Israeli forces, ongoing hostilities, military operations restricting movement, and destruction of infrastructure, which has been described as deliberate starvation used as a weapon of war by some observers.
