Gaza Nears Famine as Israeli Blockade Enters 7th Week; UN Warns of “Deliberate Assault on Survival”
Gaza’s humanitarian catastrophe has reached unprecedented severity after six weeks of total Israeli blockade, with UN agencies warning of systemic starvation, collapsed medical services, and irreversible damage to a generation of children, multiple sources have confirmed. Over 2 million Palestinians are trapped with dwindling supplies, as Israel’s siege since March 2 has reduced daily food rations to one meal every other day for most residents, according to OCHA.
The World Food Program confirms 80% of Gazans now rely entirely on humanitarian aid, but charity kitchens—the last functioning food source—can only provide 1 million daily meals for a population of 2.3 million. Gaza Soup Kitchen co-founder Hani Almadhoun reported stocks lasting three more weeks, with meals reduced to “pasta, rice, and canned meat.” Fifteen percent of seekers leave empty-handed. Water access has collapsed to 6–7 liters per person daily—one-third the UN’s emergency standard—with 90% of water infrastructure destroyed.
Acute malnutrition cases among children surged 80% in March to 3,600, yet airstrikes have disabled 40% of treatment centers. Only 22,300 children under five received nutrient supplements last month—a 70% drop from February. Doctors Without Borders condemned the blockade as “a deliberate assault on survival,” noting aid workers face the same starvation risks as civilians.
Meanwhile, Israeli strikes killed 23 Gazans overnight, including 10 family members in Khan Younis. Defense Minister Israel Katz admitted blocking aid is a “central pressure tactic” against Hamas, which demands a full Israeli withdrawal and prisoner releases for hostages. The ICC has issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Gallant for alleged war crimes, while the ICJ weighs genocide charges.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stressed Israel’s legal obligations as the occupying power to permit aid, citing “impossible” conditions for relief efforts. With 51,000 dead (70% women/children) and 90% displaced, Gaza’s survival hinges on immediate ceasefire and aid access.
