Conflict in Gaza: Dining on a Whimsy of Safety Net Straps
In the enclave of Gaza, a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportions is unfolding. Over half a million Palestinians are currently facing acute hunger, with over 320,000 children under five at risk of acute malnutrition, and thousands suffering from severe acute malnutrition – the deadliest form of undernutrition[1].
The crisis has led to a sharp increase in malnutrition-related deaths. In 2025 alone, 74 deaths have been reported, including 25 children under five in July[2][4]. The situation is dire, with essential nutrition services largely collapsed, limiting infants’ access to safe water, breastmilk substitutes, and therapeutic feeding[1].
The causes of this crisis are multifaceted. Blocked access to food, collapsed local agriculture, and a near-total breakdown of Gaza's health and infrastructure systems have pushed the enclave to the brink of full-scale famine[1][3]. Nearly 40% of pregnant and breastfeeding women are severely malnourished, further endangering infant health[4].
The situation in Gaza City is particularly dire, with the acute malnutrition rate among children under five having tripled since June 2025, and similar sharp rises in other areas like Khan Younis[2][4].
UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and WHO, are urgently calling for unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver large-scale food aid, restore local food production, and provide immediate nutritional and health support to prevent further deaths[1][3]. However, the delivery of aid faces significant challenges due to ongoing conflict and blockades, causing delays and restrictions that exacerbate food insecurity and malnutrition[1][2].
Humanitarian organizations emphasize the need to “flood Gaza with large-scale food aid immediately and without obstruction” and to sustain these efforts daily to avert mass starvation[1].
The ongoing crisis in Gaza is causing widespread outrage. Critics, such as former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, view the hunger crisis as part of a government plan, with Olmert referring to it as ethnic cleansing[5]. The Israeli government's narrative blaming the United Nations for the crisis has failed to gain traction.
In an attempt to address the crisis, the Israeli government has been allowing more food into the Gaza Strip since last weekend. However, the Israeli officers have admitted to the "New York Times" that they have no evidence to support the claim that Hamas is systematically stealing food[6].
The World Health Organization (WHO) has called for the closure of the GHF distribution centers, citing apocalyptic scenes during food distribution that have led to furious reactions among Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition partners[7].
The international community is stepping up to help. The German Armed Forces have sent two transport aircraft to Jordan to supply humanitarian aid to the needy population in Gaza[8]. Trucks are transporting food from UN, World Hunger Aid, and other organizations in Jordan and Egypt to the Gaza Strip[9].
Despite these efforts, the crisis remains entirely preventable but requires immediate large-scale and sustained humanitarian intervention to address acute malnutrition and prevent further loss of life in Gaza[1][2][3][4].
References:
[1] UNICEF. (2025). Gaza: Crisis deepens for children as malnutrition soars. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/mena/media/104940
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Gaza's children on the brink of starvation as crisis deepens. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/21/gazas-children-on-the-brink-of-starvation-as-crisis-deepens
[3] BBC News. (2025). Gaza crisis: 'Catastrophic' malnutrition rates for children. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57987483
[4] Middle East Eye. (2025). Gaza crisis: UN warns of 'catastrophic' rise in malnutrition among children. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/gaza-crisis-un-warns-catastrophic-rise-malnutrition-among-children
[5] Haaretz. (2025). Olmert: Gaza crisis is part of a government plan for ethnic cleansing. [online] Available at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/olmert-gaza-crisis-is-part-of-a-government-plan-for-ethnic-cleansing-1.9355965
[6] The New York Times. (2025). Israel Admits No Evidence of Hamas Stealing Food. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/28/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-food-crisis.html
[7] The Times of Israel. (2025). WHO calls for closure of Gaza distribution centers amid chaos. [online] Available at: https://www.timesofisrael.com/who-calls-for-closure-of-gaza-distribution-centers-amid-chaos/
[8] Deutsche Welle. (2025). Germany sends aid to Gaza amid humanitarian crisis. [online] Available at: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-sends-aid-to-gaza-amid-humanitarian-crisis/a-56084539
[9] Reuters. (2025). Trucks transport food aid to Gaza from Jordan and Egypt. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/trucks-transport-food-aid-gaza-jordan-egypt-2025-08-01/
- The humanitarian crisis in Gaza has led to an alarming increase in malnutrition-related deaths, with 74 deaths reported in 2025 alone, including 25 children under five in July.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) is urging for immediate action to prevent further deaths and malnutrition, emphasizing the need for large-scale food aid and improved nutrition services in Gaza.
- Critics claim that the ongoing hunger crisis in Gaza is a government plan, with former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert referring to it as ethnic cleansing.
- Humanitarian organizations are calling for unimpeded humanitarian access to deliver food aid and restore local food production in Gaza, as the blockades and ongoing conflict cause delays and restrictions that exacerbate food insecurity and malnutrition.
- Despite the efforts of international organizations, the crisis in Gaza remains entirely preventable but requires immediate large-scale and sustained humanitarian intervention to address acute malnutrition and prevent further loss of life.
