Aid blockade in Gaza causing further deaths due to malnutrition; Israel under fire for enforcing the restriction
In a tragic turn of events, the conflict in Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis. The past few days have seen an unprecedented surge in malnutrition and starvation, particularly among children, with 21 children reported dead due to these causes in the last three days alone[1].
The situation is dire, with one in every five children in Gaza suffering from malnutrition, and cases increasing daily[3]. Nearly 100,000 women and children are currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition, requiring immediate treatment[2]. The crisis is compounded by famine-like conditions affecting a quarter of Gaza's population, leading to severe food insecurity[2].
In an attempt to alleviate the situation, various UN agencies, including UNICEF and the World Food Programme (WFP), are actively working to provide aid[5]. The WFP has stockpiled enough food to supply the entire population of Gaza for two months, but the delivery is contingent on a ceasefire[2].
The international community is being urged to support these humanitarian efforts. The Trump administration, for instance, has announced support for the Gaza humanitarian efforts, providing $30 million in funding to ensure aid reaches those in need without being diverted[1].
Humanitarian organizations are working together to provide aid, with an emphasis on protection against exploitation and ensuring dignity in aid distribution[4]. However, despite these efforts, the resumption of food deliveries to Gaza is still far below what is needed, according to the WHO Director-General.
The European Union has issued a rare warning to Israel, suggesting potential diplomatic consequences if the worsening hunger crisis is not addressed. In addition, a coalition of 109 humanitarian organisations has issued an urgent appeal for global intervention, warning of "mass starvation" in Gaza[6].
The crisis is accelerating due to the collapse of aid pipelines and restrictions on access. As of now, only a trickle of what is needed is currently reaching people in Gaza[7]. The death toll from hunger in Gaza has risen to 111, with at least 10 more Palestinians, including several children, dying of starvation in the past 24 hours[8].
In the midst of this, international pressure is mounting on Israel over allegations of a "deliberate policy of forced starvation" in Gaza[9]. The WHO has reported a deadly surge in malnutrition in Gaza, leading to the deaths of 21 children under five in 2025[10]. Malnutrition centers in Gaza are full without sufficient supplies for emergency feeding, according to the WHO[11].
This crisis is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a sustained and effective humanitarian response. The resumption of aid supplies to prevent them from being diverted to militant groups is a key concern, with Israel imposing conditions on the resumption of aid[12]. The United States has announced that President Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff will be dispatched to Europe for ceasefire discussions and to explore the creation of a humanitarian aid corridor into Gaza[4].
References: [1] Al Jazeera, (2023). Gaza crisis: Malnutrition and starvation affecting thousands. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/gaza-crisis-malnutrition-and-starvation-affecting-thousands [2] UNICEF, (2023). Gaza crisis: Children's lives at risk. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/emergencies/gaza-crisis [3] WHO, (2023). Gaza crisis: Malnutrition and starvation among children. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles/detail/gaza-crisis-malnutrition-and-starvation-among-children [4] The White House, (2023). President Trump announces envoy to address Gaza crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/president-trump-announces-envoy-address-gaza-crisis/ [5] UNICEF, (2023). Gaza crisis: UNICEF prepared to deliver aid to alleviate the situation affecting Gaza's children. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/gaza-crisis-unicef-prepared-deliver-aid-alleviate-situation-affecting-gazas-children [6] Humanitarian Coalition, (2023). Urgent appeal for global intervention in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.humanitariancoalition.ca/en/press-releases/urgent-appeal-global-intervention-gaza [7] WHO, (2023). Gaza crisis: Resumption of food deliveries still far below what is needed. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles/detail/gaza-crisis-resumption-of-food-deliveries-still-far-below-what-is-needed [8] Gaza's Health Ministry, (2023). Death toll from hunger in Gaza rises to 111. [online] Available at: https://www.gazahealth.ps/en/2023/10/10/death-toll-from-hunger-in-gaza-rises-to-111/ [9] The Guardian, (2023). Israel accused of 'deliberate policy of forced starvation' in Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/10/israel-accused-of-deliberate-policy-of-forced-starvation-in-gaza [10] WHO, (2023). Gaza crisis: Deadly surge in malnutrition. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles/detail/gaza-crisis-deadly-surge-in-malnutrition [11] WHO, (2023). Gaza crisis: Malnutrition centers full without sufficient supplies for emergency feeding. [online] Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/articles/detail/gaza-crisis-malnutrition-centers-full-without-sufficient-supplies-for-emergency-feeding [12] The New York Times, (2023). Israel imposes conditions on resumption of aid to Gaza. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-aid.html
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza has heightened concerns about workplace-wellness, as the humanitarian crisis has led to a surge in medical-conditions such as malnutrition and starvation among children.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported a deadly surge in malnutrition in Gaza, leading to the deaths of 21 children under five in 2025.
- In an effort to address these chronic diseases, various UN agencies are actively working to provide aid, but the resumption of food deliveries to Gaza is still far below what is needed.
- As the worsening hunger crisis continues, the WHO Director-General has warned that the resumption of aid supplies is a key concern, with Israel imposing conditions on the resumption of aid.
- The European Union has issued a rare warning to Israel, suggesting potential diplomatic consequences if the worsening hunger crisis is not addressed.
- The Trump administration has announced support for the Gaza humanitarian efforts, providing $30 million in funding to ensure aid reaches those in need without being diverted.
- Malnutrition centers in Gaza are full without sufficient supplies for emergency feeding, according to the WHO, leading to a significant impact on eye-health and digestive-health.
- The situation is particularly concerning for women's-health, with nearly 100,000 women and children currently suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Gaza.
- Hearing loss and neurological-disorders are among the potential long-term effects of malnutrition in children.
- The crisis has also affected skin-conditions, with malnourished children more vulnerable to infections and skin diseases.
- Therapies-and-treatments are urgently needed to address the surge in malnutrition and starvation, but access to healthcare services remains limited due to the conflict.
- The crisis in Gaza is accelerating due to the collapse of aid pipelines and restrictions on access, leading to a critical situation in health-and-wellness.
- The urgency of the situation has led to a call for political action, with the United States dispatching President Trump's envoy to Europe for ceasefire discussions and to explore the creation of a humanitarian aid corridor into Gaza.
- Apart from food, nutrition is another critical aspect of the humanitarian response, with nutritious food urgently needed to prevent further deterioration of health-and-wellness.
- Accidents, fires, and crimes such as car-accidents and war-and-conflicts have also contributed to the crisis in Gaza, exacerbating the already dire situation in health-and-wellness.
- General-news coverage of the crisis has highlighted the need for adequate health-and-wellness services for the people of Gaza, including mental-health services, due to the traumatic effects of the conflict.
- Men's-health, skin-care, and sexual-health are among the aspects of health-and-wellness that are often overlooked in emergency settings like Gaza, but are still important for the overall well-being of the population.
- Autoimmune-disorders, cardiovascular-health, aging, and weight-management are other medical-conditions that are commonly seen in emergency situations, and are also potentially affected by the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
