Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Warnings of Starvation and Health System Collapse

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Gaza Amid Warnings of Starvation and Health System Collapse
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Over 100 aid groups warn of a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, citing severe hunger, rising malnutrition deaths, and collapsing medical services. They urge immediate international action to ensure unrestricted aid access and prevent further civilian suffering.

More details in the following report:
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More than 100 global humanitarian and rights organisations have jointly warned of an impending famine in Gaza, as medical services and aid operations face unprecedented strain. Groups including Médecins Sans Frontières, Save the Children, and Oxfam signed a statement highlighting that civilians and aid workers alike are suffering from extreme hunger.

The statement described worsening malnutrition, rising deaths, and medical personnel too weak to treat patients. Gaza’s health ministry reported 43 deaths from starvation in just a few days, while the World Health Organization estimates that one in four residents face famine-level food insecurity.

Nearly 100,000 women and children require urgent nutrition treatment. Hospitals are overwhelmed with cases of acute malnutrition, especially among children and the elderly, while illnesses like diarrhoea and low blood sugar are becoming widespread.

Doctors in Gaza say they are collapsing from hunger during surgeries. Some report going days without food. Hospitals are unable to operate effectively, with 94% either destroyed or heavily damaged, according to WHO. Medical professionals warn of rising fatalities due to lack of food, fuel, and medicine.

Israel, which regulates aid access into Gaza, rejected the joint statement and accused the organisations of echoing Hamas rhetoric. It cited over 4,000 aid trucks delivered recently, and blamed bottlenecks on UN agencies and logistical constraints. Israeli military officials say they have ordered troops not to target civilians near aid sites, though over 1,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed while attempting to access food since May.

The UN reports that aid convoys face immense obstacles, including ongoing hostilities, dangerous routes, and limited Israeli permissions. In many cases, civilians approaching humanitarian convoys have come under fire despite previous assurances of safety. Aid groups say food and medical supplies are stockpiled near Gaza’s borders or within the enclave but cannot be delivered.

Most of Gaza’s population has been displaced and is now confined to less than 12% of the territory. Humanitarian organisations say the current aid mechanism, which involves Israeli and U.S.-backed groups operating in militarised zones, is ineffective and dangerous.

The organisations are urging governments to demand an immediate ceasefire, lift access restrictions, and restore a UN-led humanitarian response. They also called for halting arms transfers to ensure protection of civilians and aid workers. The situation remains dire, with aid workers warning that inaction could lead to further catastrophic loss of life.