GAZA – Authorities in Gaza have reported a worsening humanitarian catastrophe as starvation tightens its grip amid severe restrictions on aid access. In the past week alone, at least 10 additional deaths have been linked to famine, bringing the total number of starvation-related deaths to 111 — the majority being children.
According to the health ministry, over 80 of the victims were minors. Health experts warn that nearly 10 percent of the population, including 20 percent of pregnant women, are suffering from moderate to severe malnutrition. Medical centres treating malnourished children are overwhelmed, and hospitals are struggling with the dual burden of war-related injuries and starvation cases.
A six-week-old baby named Yousef was among the four children who died from acute hunger within just 24 hours. Humanitarian groups say the enclave is facing a collapse of essential services, with aid trucks allowed into Gaza falling far below the minimum required to sustain the population.
Long queues at food distribution points have frequently turned into tragic scenes. Over 800 people have reportedly died near aid lines since May due to gunfire, stampedes, and chaos during handouts. Médecins Sans Frontières has reported a fourfold increase in child malnutrition cases, and newborns are suffering due to a lack of formula and clean water.
The World Health Organization has called the crisis a “man-made mass starvation” and urged immediate intervention. Aid agencies and rights groups are calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, warning that current conditions amount to collective punishment.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the situation as a “horror show,” citing the collapse of Gaza’s humanitarian infrastructure. Relief workers, journalists, and even medical staff are reportedly collapsing from hunger, raising fears of total societal breakdown if aid continues to be restricted.
Without swift global action and unrestricted access to aid, health experts warn that thousands more — especially children — could die in the coming weeks.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.