The Israeli-Palestinian conflict in Gaza has entered its 21st month, with the enclave experiencing escalating scenes of death and hunger. The World Health Organization warned reporters on Wednesday that Palestinians are suffering from “mass starvation” due to the aid blockade.
Over 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food since late May, according to the United Nations. Hundreds of people have died near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) sites, where a new aid group was created to replace the UN’s role in Gaza. The GHF has been widely criticized for failing to improve conditions.
All 2.1 million people in Gaza are now food insecure, with 900,000 children going hungry and 70,000 showing signs of malnutrition. The blockade has significantly reduced the flow of aid, from an average of 500-600 truckloads per day before the conflict to just 28 trucks per day.
The situation began to deteriorate after Hamas’ October 7 attack, which left 1,200 people dead and more than 250 taken hostage. Israel ordered a “complete siege” of Gaza, halting the supply of electricity, food, water, and fuel. Human rights groups have accused Israel of using food as a “weapon of war” and imposing collective punishment.
In January this year, Israel banned UNRWA from operating in Gaza, cutting off vital services like food, healthcare, and education to hundreds of thousands of people. The breakdown of social order has led to looting and casualties at aid delivery points, with the UN warning that civil order is collapsing.
Despite a temporary ceasefire and resumption of aid, the situation remains dire. At least 80 children have died of malnutrition since the conflict began, and the World Health Organization (WHO) says most of these deaths occurred after the March blockade. The GHF has defended its system, but critics argue that it is a “secure model” that blocks looting but also limits access to aid.
International pressure continues to mount on Israel, including from the United States and Western nations, which have condemned the blockade and called for an end to hostilities.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/07/23/middleeast/gaza-starving-killed-israel-while-seeking-aid-intl