UN issues stark warning as Gaza hunger crisis escalates

Gaza is at serious risk of famine, with food and nutrition levels plunging to their worst since the conflict began, United Nations agencies warned on Tuesday, 29 July.

New data from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) showed that two out of three famine thresholds have been breached in parts of Gaza.

The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and UNICEF said the window to prevent mass starvation is closing fast.

“People are starving not because food is unavailable, but because access is blocked and families can no longer survive,” said FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. “We urgently need safe, sustained access and support to restart local food production.”

The conflict, collapsed services, and limits on aid deliveries have pushed hundreds of thousands into extreme hunger.

The WFP said more than 500,000 people, or nearly a quarter of Gaza’s population, are enduring famine-like conditions. Over one-third of residents now go days without food.

Malnutrition rates are rising sharply, especially among children. In Gaza City, the rate of acute malnutrition among children under five has quadrupled in two months to 16.5%.

UNICEF warned that more than 320,000 children under five are now at risk, with thousands suffering from the most dangerous form of undernutrition.

“Emaciated children and babies are dying from malnutrition,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Without immediate access to food, water and medicine, more lives will be lost.”

WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain urged rapid action. “Waiting for a formal famine declaration is unconscionable,” she said. “We must flood Gaza with food aid now and keep it flowing every day.”

Although some aid is entering Gaza, it falls far short of what’s needed.

The UN said more than 62,000 tons of food and nutrition aid must be delivered each month to meet basic needs.

Restarting commercial food imports is also critical to bring in fresh produce, dairy and protein.

Fuel, clean water and health services remain in short supply, adding to the crisis. The agencies welcomed recent moves to ease access for humanitarian workers, but stressed the need for a full ceasefire, unimpeded aid deliveries, and efforts to rebuild local markets, bakeries, and farms.

“Only with safe access and restored food systems can we prevent further loss of life,” Dongyu said.